Lapwai is also the seat of government of the Nez Perce Tribe.

The rich history continued in 1805, when Captain Meriwether Lewis and William Clark passed through the area on their way to the Pacific with the Corps of Discovery.

In 1836, Presbyterian minister, Reverend Henry Harmon Spalding founded the Nez Perce Indian Mission at Lapwai Valley. It was the state’s first white settlement and where he established Idaho’s first school, developed its first irrigation system, and grew the state’s first potatoes.

In 1839, Rev. Spalding printed the Northwest’s first book, the Bible, on the earliest printing press in the Pacific Northwest.

The area became apart of the Oregon Territory in 1848 and a part of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in 1855. Less than ten years later, the area became part of the Idaho Territory in 1863. This was also at the time when troops were assigned to the Lapwai Valley and Fort Lapwai was established as a response to the 1860 gold rush happening on Nez Perce lands.

Fort Lapwai was in use from 1862 to 1885. It was here that General Oliver O. Howard met with the leaders of Nez Perce non-treaty bands on May 3, 1877, as they made one last attempt to remain on their land. After 1885, when old Fort Lapwai ceased to function as a military fort, it was converted into a government Indian school, then a tuberculosis sanatorium with a hospital, then a boys and girls dormitory, and finally into a school under the direction of the Lapwai School District. It was called the Fort Lapwai Training School from 1891-1899.

Fort Lapwai became part of the State of Idaho when Idaho was admitted to the Union as the 43rd state in 1890.

The Northern Idaho Indian Agency, originally located at Spalding, was relocated to Fort Lapwai in 1904.

On January 11, 1911, the Nez Perce County Commissioners ratified the petition of Roy C. Lane for the Incorporation of the Village of Lapwai. There were over two hundred (200) residents residing within the boundaries of the proposed village at that time. William Siegrist, William J. Fenderson, A.J. Lucas, John C. Carlson and Roy C. Lane were appointed to act as Trustees for the Village of Lapwai until their successors were elected.

Lapwai remains as the seat of government for the Nez Perce Indian Nation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Northern Idaho Indian Agency is also still located in Lapwai.

LAPWAI VALLEY TIMELINE

1805 – Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery pass through the area

1836 – State’s first settlement, Nez Perce Indian Mission, founded by Presbyterian minister Reverend Henry Harmon Spalding

1839 – Reverend Spalding published the Bible on the first printing press in the Pacific Northwest

1848 – Lapwai Valley became apart of the Oregon Territory

1855 – Lapwai Valley became a part of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation

1860 – Gold rush in Nez Perce lands

1862 – Camp Lapwai established in response to gold rush

1863 – Fort Lapwai established and becomes part of the new Idaho Territory

1877 – General Oliver O. Howard meets with Nez Perce leaders

1885 – Fort Lapwai converted into a government Indian school

1890 – Fort Lapwai became part of the State of Idaho, the Union’s 43rd state

1891 – Fort Lapwai renamed Fort Lapwai Training School

1899 – Lillian Marie Bounds, wife of Walt Disney, is born in Lapwai Valley

1904 – Northern Idaho Indian Agency relocated to Fort Lapwai from Spalding

1911 – Incorporation of the Village of Lapwai

1933 – Administration of the school transferred to Coeur d’Alene Agency

1987 – Beginning of Idaho’s longest basketball winning streak at 81 games and three consecutive A-3 state championships under Coach Bruce Crossfield

When:

Experience NAIA Baseball at its best as the top 10 ten NAIA college teams compete in the 2012 World Series. Click on link below to see latest news and updates, schedules and highlights and pictures of games.

Ticket and seating information is also on this site.

Click Here for 2012 NAIA World Series

When: July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th

Where: Grangeville, ID

As county seat of Idaho County, Grangeville is proud of its interesting history and heritage. Part of that heritage is the BORDER DAYS, Idaho’s oldest rodeo! The first rodeo was held in 1912 and it remained until today as a main attraction during the 4th of July celebration.

For more info Click Here.

As part of our Lapwai Days 2012 Celebration we would like to extend to you and everyone in your community an invitation to participate in our Lapwai Days 2012 parade. Any entries from the community, such as royalty, floats, antique cars, drill teams, horse clubs, etc., would be most welcome.

This year our parade theme is “Lapwai 101.” The parade will line up at Valley Foods parking lot on North Main Street. Line up time is 45 minutes prior to parade time. The parade will follow Main St on to Agency Drive and end at the Lapwai Elementary.

If you plan to participate in any of these activities, please fill out the enclosed entry form.
Circle the days you will attend and bring it with you.

We look forward to seeing you during our celebration.

NOTE: The entry form must be signed by person of authority for your organization/company for entry in the parade and children must sign the parent/child consent form.

If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Oatman at RyanO@nezperce.org

Downloads

Lapwai Heritage Parade Form

Parade Parent Consent Form

Friends, family, drummers and dancers you are invited to join us this July 7th in the Lapwai City Park at 7pm for an evening of singing and dancing. Bring your lawn chairs. Come early at 5pm with your favorite meat or side dish and family for the Community potluck.

When: Saturday July 7th

Where: Lapwai City Park

Time: 7:00 pm

More Info: Contact the City  at 208.843.2212

Theme: “leplepyéeye a family of butterflies”.

Artists are limited to displaying artwork that is consistent with juried pieces.

Artists who wish to exhibit and sell their works are required to be present on site July 5th, and 6th during the hours of 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We accept all media, including: digital art, leather, metal and wood art, photography, watercolors, oil paintings, acrylic paintings, ceramics, sculpture, pottery, drawing, painting, photography, clay, collage, glass and metal to wood , textiles, and mixed media. The only caveats are:

1) The product must be hand made and not mass produced (i.e. Tupperware is not art, unless you do something interesting with it).

2) The art or craftwork must not be profane or indecent (As a family friendly event, Lapwai Centennial committee reserves the right to define what it considers to be profane or indecent).

3). Applications will be available on site before set-up on 4:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 5th at the Lapwai High School Auditorium. Artists will adhere to the rules and regulations as noted on application. Each artist is responsible for setting up and tearing down of their area. Artist will remove all artwork on Saturday, July 7 before 2 p.m.

4) Artists will submit donations either monetary or artwork in lieu of table/vendor fee to the Lapwai Centennial raffle.

For more information contact City of Lapwai at 843-2212

Storytelling has always been a part of the history of people. For many, the oral history tradition continues to paint pictures and scenes in the minds of the listeners. In the early 1900′s, the technology of film begin to become a popular medium to tell stories. Over the years, Native Americans have been a popular subject of films and stories. At first marginalized and inaccurately depicted  in film, they slowly have began to tell their own stories. We celebrate the tradition of storytelling and focus this year on films that included Nez Perce actors, land, directors, and stories.

Thursday July 5^th

6:00 pm             Dreamkeeper (Tentative)
A 2003 film written by John Fusco and directed by Steve Barron. The film shares the conflict between a Lakota elder and storyteller named Pete Chasing Horse and his Lakota grandson, Shane Chasing Horse. The story unwinds as the two travel from Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota to the fictitious All Nations powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a trip the grandson takes only under duress. Along the way, the grandfather tells his grandson various Indian stories and legends to help him understand and choose the “good red road,” i.e. to embrace an Indian identity.

When: Saturday July 7th

Where: Lapwai City Park

Sign-in time: 11:00 am Teams will be drawn from those registered and brackets set morning of the tournament.

Fees: Coming soon

Prizes: $150 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd place, $50 for 3rd place, and $25 for 4th place. Trophies will also be given.

More Info: Contact City  Hall @ 20.843.2212 or Mark Wilson

When: Sunday June 17th

Where: Lapwai City Park

Time: 10:00 am

More Info: Contact Antonio Smith at 208.790.5157