Clarkston in Asotin County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Wistitám'o - A Place of Healing
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 15, 2026
1. Wistitám'o - A Place of Healing Marker
Captions: (bottom center) Nimiipuu, sweet lodge, circa 1890; (middle right) Wéeyekin, one of the wild wolves of the Sawtooth Pack that the Nez Perce Tribe monitors and supports. Wéeyekin died in 1999 of natural causes but her spirit lives on.
"I saw a curious Set house"
William Clark observed a sweat lodge in this area as his party paddled downstream on October 11, 1805. Sweat lodges are still very important in the ceremonial lives of Plateau tribes , including the Nimiipuu ("the people') or Nez Perce, who call them Wistilám'o.
Native people used sweat lodges for cleaning, healing and spiritual renewal. Sweat lodge ceremonies frequently included songs and prayers and are often associated with rites of passage. Sweat lodges provide health benefits similar to thjose provided by saunas and steam rooms. Where water is poured over hot stones, steam is released and held inside the lodge.
Some people have experiences with wéeyekin while seating in the lodge. According to the Nimiipuu a wéeyekin typically appears in the form of a guiding animal spirit and bestows special powers on people.
Return of the Salmon
Native peoples believe the practice of sweating brings healing and renewal. To the many tribes from throughout this region, including the Nimiipuu,, the annual return of the salmon also brings nourishment to the bodies and spirits of the people.
this page online
Good Memories
"Things that happened in the sweat house are all good memories, because I learned so much about the Indian way of life and what it means."
Horace Axtell, Nez Perce, from his book A Little Bit of Wisdom, Conversations with a Nez Perce Elder, with Margo Aragon
"they make great use of Swetting. The hot and cold baeths"
William Clark
October 11, 1805
"at this place I saw a curious Swet house under ground, with a Small hole at top to pass in or throw in the hot Stones, which those in threw on as much water as to create a temporature of heat they wished"
William Clark
Wéeyekin
An important dimension of traditional Nimiipuu, life focuses on acquiring and properly caring for one's wéeyekin. Wéeyekin spirit guides often com in the form of an animal, such as an eagle, elk, bear, wolf, or other creature. Young people who follow proper instructions and ritual cleansing may go high
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, circa 1890
2. Wistitám'o - A Place of Healing Marke (detail): Nimiipuu Sweat Lodge
Erected by Washington Lewi s & Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 11, 1805.
Location. 46° 24.945′ N, 117° 11.582′ W. Marker is in Clarkston, Washington, in Asotin County. It is on Silcott Road. The marker is located in Chief Timothy Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Clarkston WA 99403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Palouse. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 15, 2026
3. Wistitám'o - A Place of Healing Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Temuut'su (was approx. one mile away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 1, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
