Nez Perce Tourism

The vision of Nez Perce Tourism revealed itself to me in 2017 while my family visited one of our power places.  As my daughter q’emesn’im l’aatis (camas lily or Kalila) and I hiked to the top of this mountain and began to sing one of our old Nimiipuu songs, it wasn’t until the second verse one of our elders appeared to us, offering very direct set instructions. That message was to start a cultural tourism company to ensure traditional knowledge and places continue to be shared amongst our people, as well as to create a platform for our people to share our own narrative of the past, present, and future. I was told to visit all the places our old people once walked, to remind my people, our neighbors, and the world of these places, our landmarks, OUR HOME. I was warned about those who would come against this vision and I was given the directive to thank them as they are only concerned about protection of our old ways.

The vision I experienced with our elder was a directive that had to be followed. I began listening to the needs of our community and conducted an internal needs analysis as well as intense market research in the travel and tourism industry. Nez Perce Tourism opened its doors with a grand opening ceremony at Hells Gate State Park on March 29, 2019. 

Radiating with cultural wisdom, Nez Perce Tourism is the only place in the world where you will hear the Nimiipuu side of history, witness the stories of our ancestors, and receive the legendary hospitality founded in our cultural understanding of honor and respect. I see Nez Perce Tourism as an economic driver in Nimiipuu Country and a cultural and educational connection to ensure a bright future for generations. It is essential that our children are included in all aspects of the business, from planning to implementation, to experiencing a deeper connection to our culture, land, and water. 

Nez Perce Tourism provides one-on-one, elder-to-youth mentorship opportunities through a series of interactive workshops. Those learning opportunities preserve our history through interactive storytelling and the promotion of the protection of our homelands by navigating through traditional values via field trips.

Nez Perce Tourism is the warm welcome to Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) Country, offering the only tours created to connect you to Nimiipuu culture through interactive storytelling, song, drum, and dance. From riverbeds to mountain tops, Nez Perce Tourism offers land and water journeys. Nimiipuu Tours earned AIANTA's "Best Cultural Heritage Experience" in 2021.

Far more than a tourism company for destination travel, Nez Perce Tourism provides the experience that awakens visitor's souls. At the foundation of the Nez Perce Tribe is the drumbeat of the landscape and the heartbeat of Nimiipuu ancestors. Nez Perce Tourism provides an exclusive experience where you can walk alongside Nimiipuu (The People), learning their ancient and modern ways of life and embrace the spirit of their homelands.

Tours include: Hear the Echoes of our Ancestor Jet Boat Tour, a boat trip up the Snake River into Hells Canyon to experience the places the Nez Perce call home; Nimiipuu White Water Rafting, an experience of the rich culture of the Nimiipuu while rafting the Salmon River, a Class III River and the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48; Dinner with the Nez Perce, a celebration of traditional food, offering an experience that flows together like the currents in the river; and Traditional Arts Workshop, a circle featuring members of the Nimiipuu community who want to share their knowledge of traditional techniques.

Nez Perce Tourism also offers Nimiipuu Van Rental, their 14-passenger van that allows visitors to reach their destinations in extra comfort and convenience with a Nez Perce Tourism driver or on their own.

For Nimiipuu gifts, visit Nez Perce Traditions gift shop in downtown Lewiston’s shopping district. Discover authentic hand-crafted tribal items from local artists and take home something special from Nimiipuu Country.