I just got back from a short stay at Lake Wallowa in eastern Oregon, near Hell’s Canyon.  While there we came across Chief Joseph’s grave site.  His bones are interred in a small monument in a small Indian cemetery overlooking the lake.

 It is a beautiful site, a small mound enclosed by a circle.  His bones are stored behind a metal plate.

People leave small tokens, gifts of gratitude. I saw a small car, pretty rocks, a cigarette (tobacco), some Indian items.  His bones were moved to this small Indian burial ground and locked behind a metal plate because his former grave near the city of Wallowa was robbed twice.  One time his skull was stolen.  It has never been returned.  The Europeans in the Pacific Northwest owe a gift a gratitude to the Nez Perce.  Without them we would never have settled this country. 

 The site included a drinking fountain.

The caretaking of the grave site is the responsibility of the US National Park Service.  I would like to request that the Park Service clean up the sad little fountain.  Considering the graciousness of the Nez Perce, it would be the least we could do for Chief Joseph.

 With all the money the Park Service has at its disposal, why can’t they show Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce the respect they deserve by fixing the water fountain to make this grave site look a little nicer?

This small indignity makes me want to apologize to the Nez Perce people on behalf of the people of the Pacific Northwest.

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