Housing OK'd on Oregon Tribal Gravesite (an upscale subdivision)

[Khephra]

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Officials in northeastern Oregon on Thursday approved plans for an upscale subdivision near the grave of Old Chief Joseph, land considered culturally significant to the Nez Perce Indians.

The Nez Perce and two other Northwest tribes had challenged the plans for 11 homes on 62 acres in Wallowa County near the grave, which is on a site that's also a trailhead of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail.

Chief Joseph, the son of old Chief Joseph, followed the trail in 1877 in a 1,500-mile fighting retreat from the U.S. cavalry that ended with his surrender near the Canadian border and exile of his band from the Wallowa Valley.

In a surrender speech to U.S. General Oliver O. Howard at the other end of the trail, Chief Joseph said: "I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."

more.......................

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-tribal-land-fight,0,6018320.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

[laylah]

1. "...I will fight no more forever"...

has always been one of my favorite quotes. Chief Joseph was a honorable man and to have his resting place descrated makes my heart hurt. This is despicable and I hope that the Nation wins it's fight against development of this hallowed ground.

Jenn

[Shadder]

2. Make your voice heard

If your concerned about this issue, I would strongly advise you to contact the following office and let them know your feelings.

Oregon Pioneer Cemetery Commission/Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries
725 Summer Street, Suite C
Salem, Oregon
97301
Phone: [phone]
Coordinator: Mirra Meyer
Email: [email protected].
Website: http://www.shpo.state.or.us.

I will be featuring this story on Saving Graves latter today (http://www.savinggraves.org)