Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment celebrates National Indigenous Day [Video]

PULLMAN, Wash. — An Indigenous nonprofit working with tribal nations across the Pacific Northwest hopes to carry on their traditions and values through the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment is working to carry on the environmental practices in the tradition of the Nimiipuu, more commonly known as the Nez Perce. One of their main focuses is to protect their 1855 Treaty rights as the next generation becomes leaders in the community.

Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment has an after-school program where youth from Lapwai Elementary School come every Wednesday to work on canoe and paddle carving, arts and crafts, beadwork, and caring for the raised garden and fruit trees. The nonprofit also holds regular Tribal Environmental Summits where tribal groups in the Pacific Northwest discuss common tribal issues.

“Most tribes have common issues with first foods and the way that dams and other ‘development” has harmed our traditional hunting, fishing and gathering areas,” said Julian Matthews who is a part of Nimiipuu Protecting …