Back in 1991, I produced a five-part series of documentaries for Spokane Public Radio called “Keepers of the Earth.” These programs featured stories of each of the federally recognized Idaho Tribes — Kootenai, Coeur d’Alene, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock and Shoshone-Paiute—set within the context of their traditional stories, ways of life, values, and spiritual beliefs deeply rooted within the natural world.

As you listen to Shane Sater’s podcast, he will bring you the songs of birds that you can see and hear all around. One of the birds he recorded is Robin. If you take the time to watch Robin, it is revealing as to how he became an action hero of Nez Perce folklore.

On March 31 and April 3, 2023 The U.S. Government is holding listening sessions to determine the fate of salmon and steelhead in the wilds of Idaho, northeast Oregon, and Washington. The question is whether or not the government needs to breach the four Lower Snake River dams in the Columbia River Basin system so salmon and steelhead survive. It is a complex issue, but the danger of extinction is real for the endangered fish.

Perhaps it’s time for human beings to change so the fish can live.

We asked Nez Perce writer and storyteller, Jeanette Weaskus, if her Tribe had any special celebrations to mark the Winter Solstice, when the sun begins its return journey from darkness. She said there are many traditions that center around this important day in the Earth’s circle of change and movement, which heralds a new year and the spring season soon to come.

In Part 1 of Rich Wandschneider’s podcast on the Nez Perce, we learned their history in the Wallowas of northeast Oregon, and the tragic event that forced the Joseph Band, or walwa’a ma, from their homeland.

The Nez Perce, or Nimi’ipuu, were one of several Indigenous Nations in what we now call the Inland Northwest. The band of Nez Perce that lived in the Wallowa of northeast Oregon was called walwa ma—people of the Wallowa. Chief Joseph was their leader.

Preservation of the Nez Perce Language and traditional stories began with the first Nez Perce graduate to earn a PhD, Archie Phinney.

The “War on Wolves” is only getting worse. I wrote a guest editorial with this title for the Inland Northwest Inlander (Vol. 29, No. 25, March 31-April 6, 2022 issue or online at www.inlander.com) because wolves were being killed in Idaho and Montana in increasing numbers, especially wolves that were stepping outside of Yellowstone National Park boundaries.

Did you know that Coyote is one of Creator’s eldest children put on Earth to help the human beings, who are Creator’s youngest children? Give a listen to our podcast Coyote Breaks the Fish Dam, and check out the blog post as well.

Ancient wisdom is reflected in those eyes. This photo of Yellowstone wolf 1234M taken by Julie Argyle of Wild Love Images was killed by a Montana hunter in late January 2022 as it left Yellowstone National Park.

You may be surprised to learn that half of our DNA is shared with trees. But modern life has made things complicated.