Near Joseph in Wallowa County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Salmon for Trade

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017

1. Salmon for Trade Marker

Map: Wal'waama trading connections

Inscription. Spring signaled the return of food for the Wal'waama (the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce). The first roots began to appear, and most important, the salmon returned. The sockeye runs in the Wallowa River were heavy, teeming with at the promise of health and wealth for the Wal'waama in the coming year. Tribes from throughout the region traveled here to trade for fish. the flesh of the sockeye was perfectly suited to drying, allowing the preserved salmon to be transported to distant tribes, and traded for items unique to other places.
Salmon was more than food. In tribal literature, the salmon was the first creature to present itself for human substance. Then, as now, the people honor it for its sacrifice.

Erected by Oregon State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 45° 20.556′ N, 117° 13.44′ W. Marker is near Joseph, Oregon, in Wallowa County. It is on Wallowa Lake Highway (Oregon Route 351) near South East Street, on the right when traveling south.

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Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Joseph OR 97846, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Oregon.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Putting Down Roots (a few steps from this marker); "Only the sounds of the horses..." (a few steps from this marker); Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site (within shouting distance of this marker); tiwi∙teqis (Old Chief Joseph) (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chief "Old" Joseph (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wallowa Lake (approx. half a mile away); 19 Dr. J.W. Barnard Drugs 08 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Nez Perce (approx. 6.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Joseph.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Benson Bubbler (was approx. 6.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. This marker is located at Iwetemlaykin State

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 29, 2017

2. Salmon for Trade Marker

This marker is second from the right.

Heritage Site.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 327 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 11, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.