lapwai, idaho

NEZ PERCE TRIBE

The Nez Perce Tribe is a federally recognized tribe in north-central Idaho with more than 3,500 enrolled citizens. Headquartered in Lapwai, ID, the Nez Perce Reservation spans about 770,000 acres.

The current governmental structure is based on a constitution adopted by the tribe in 1948. The tribe is governed by a nine-member elected executive committee, known as the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee or NPTEC. The NPTEC is obligated to protect the health and welfare of the Nez Perce people. This means protecting and preserving treaty rights and tribal sovereignty, Nez Perce culture and the general environment of the reservation.

History

The Nimiipuu people have been connected to the lands and waters of modern-day Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Montana long before the creation of the Nez Perce Reservation.

Culture

Today, the Nez Perce Tribe upholds many traditional lifeways, including fishing, hunting, gathering, and traditional ceremonies and celebrations.

Language

The Nimipuutímt language is an integral part of Nez Perce culture. Our language program offers learning tools to keep the language thriving.