Near Chinook in Blaine County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

ćáynim?a•lika?spe

Bear Paw Battlefield Trail

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 15, 2019

1. ćáynim?a•lika?spe Marker

Caption: (trail map at upper right) The 1.25-mile trail crosses the Nez Perce camp and siege defenses, loops around to the site of the initial attack, and returns pas the place of surrender. Start your walk clockwise, to the left.

Inscription. For the exhausted Nez Perce, this site, known to them as ćáynim?a•lika?spe (Place of Manure Fire), appeared to be a good place to rest before continuing to Canada. Then a large force of U.S. soldiers surprised them from the east. After the Nez Perce blocked the initial attack of September 30th, the battle became a six-day siege, with sniper's bullets and artillery fire. This landscape looks much as it did in 1877. Picture it as cold and snowing, which added to the suffering. As you walk, study the terrain and its role in the fighting, the nominal shelter it offered Nez Perce families, and ponder this place as the end of a four-month struggle.

People died here. Please stay on the trail to help respect this sacred ground. Do not disturb any commemorative objects you may encounter.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the The Nez Perce Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 30, 1877.

Location. 48° 22.676′ N, 109° 12.724′ W.

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Marker is near Chinook, Montana, in Blaine County. It is on Cleveland Road (County Road 240) near S-B Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chinook MT 59523, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Montana’s Missouri River Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bear Paw Battlefield (here, next to this marker); Nez Perce National Historical Park (here, next to this marker); Last Battle (here, next to this marker); Bear's Paw Battleground (here, next to this marker); Surrender of Chief Joseph (a few steps from this marker); Nez Perce Encampment (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chief Joseph’s Surrender (about

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 15, 2019

2. ćáynim?a•lika?spe Marker

The marker is on the right.

700 feet away); Soldier Burials (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chinook.

More about this marker. This markers is located near the Bear Paw Battlefield parking lot.

Additional keywords. ćáynim?a•lika?spe

Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 335 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 21, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.