Wallowa is a small outpost along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway. Travelers encounter Nez Perce culture here at an annual festival, in cultural exhibits, and on the grounds of the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland. Tamkaliks takes place every July in Wallowa, Oregon, and lasts three days.

Tamkaliks: Culture, Community, and Homecoming

Tamkaliks is a three-day celebration of Nez Perce culture, community, and homecoming. The program includes a powwow with a Grand Entry, traditional dance competitions, memorial events, and special activities hosted by families. On Sunday, the weekend concludes with a Nez Perce traditional service at the Wallowa Longhouse. A Friendship Feast follows, and everyone is welcome. Together, the powwow, memorial events, and community activities create a multi-day setting for the different aspects of the celebration.

Cultural Insights in the Town Center

The Wallowa Band Nez Perce Trail Interpretive Center opened a visitor center in downtown Wallowa in 1996 to make cultural exhibits accessible to the public. The center tells the story of the Nez Perce and preserves tribal customs and culture. It offers a way to explore Nez Perce history and cultural heritage right in Wallowa.

The Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland Visitor Center is also located in downtown Wallowa. There, you can see photos, artifacts, maps, art, a miniature tipi, and informative videos about the Wallowa area and Nez Perce culture. Activities for children are also available. Opening days and hours may vary by season, so check before your visit.

Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland: Landscape and Trails

The Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland encompasses 320 acres of publicly accessible land. Its landscape includes stretches of the Wallowa River shoreline, river lowlands, rocky escarpments, grassy plateaus, and mountain views. The area also includes traditional Nez Perce summer camps and grazing lands. Here, landscape and cultural history can be experienced together: a 60-minute audio tour explores Indigenous culture and history, as well as the practices that have shaped this land over generations. Allow an hour for the tour.

A series of historic steel truss bridges spans the Wallowa River, connecting the Homeland with the town of Wallowa and providing a public pedestrian route. On the grounds, a three-mile loop trail crosses Tick Hill. It offers views across the entire Wallowa Valley to the moraine at Wallowa Lake. An optional detour leads to a viewpoint and a pavilion. You can choose what to focus on: the audio tour explores culture and history, while the loop trail highlights the landscape and views.

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