The Battle of the Bear Paw is considered one of the last major battles between the Native Americans and the U.S. military. Not only was the Battle brutal and cold but before the final stand they walked for thousands of miles hoping to escape Canada only to surrender but forty miles from freedom.
|
Also at the site are markers for those who died and still remain there. Most people leave trinkets and various items to show respect. There are people who do enjoy making various things for them such as arrowheads, beaded jewelry, there is one frequent unknown visitor who often burns the American Flag and leaves it as a tribute on various markers even though most of the Nez Perce hold little hostility toward the U.S., some even served in the military at one point.
To this day there are still several Nez Perce tribe members who return to the battlefield every year on the anniversary of that historic day to show honor and respect to all that fell and anybody involved. The most important part of this is the pipe ceremony that has been led by Wilfred "Scotty" Scott.
To see more go to; http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/article/wilfred-scott-devotes-his-life-to-navy,-tribe,-and-native-culture-100829 http://watch.montanapbs.org/video/2106053844/ most of this information is from "Scotty", Stephanie Martin; a park ranger from the Bear Paw Battlefield, and Jude Shepherd from the Blaine County Museum |