Visitors to, or travelers going by, the Bear Paw Battlefield, south of Chinook, may not be aware but the south part of the entrance sign was taken down, refurbished and erected again during the winter. It's a project supported partially by funds from the Friends of Bear Paw, Big Hole and Canyon Creek Battlefields (Friends Group) with some labor and materials donated by Sam Jaha of Jaha Painting in Chinook. The project is one of many that the Friends group has provided over the years to enhance the three battlefields.

Newly arrived Bear Paw Park Ranger, Casey Overturff, noted that one side of the entrance sign was showing some wear "after many seasons exposed to the elements." Knowing the repairs would be hard to complete during the busy visitors' season and no park service designated fund source for the work, Overturff contacted the Friends Group Treasurer, Mike Inman of Chinook. The Friends Group decided to support the project and the work was completed during the winter with no effect on visitors to the park. Overturff said, "This is just another example of community involvement and support that makes Chinook so special." Local and volunteer support of the Bear Paw Battlefield has been a part of maintaining and preserving the Bear Paw Battlefield, starting even before it was designated a national park in 1992.

The history and purpose of the

Friends Group

At the Bear Paw Battlefield, the role of volunteers helping maintain the battle site goes way back. Mike Inman, current Treasurer of the Friends Group (his father, Bob, was a founding member and Treasurer for many years) told, as an example of local involvement in maintaining the site, how the Chinook Lions Club, in 1935, bought and helped place the current metal markers that still identify various significant sites at the battlefield. Other volunteer groups reportedly helped reroof the picnic pavilion and many historical markers have been purchased and placed by various groups.

According to Robert Luppi, the current President and one of the founding members of Friends of Bear Paw, Big Hole and Canyon Creek Battlefields, the non-profit organization was organized in December of 2003. From its beginning the purpose of the Friends Group was to "educate visitors about the battles at the sites, the participants in the battles and to help share the stories of the participants in the battles." At the onset there was a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Park Service (NPS) that the Friends "will support NPS management programs and objectives relating to these battle sites through monetary support, membership activities and other events."

Some examples of projects by the Friends Group to support the battlefields

Interestingly, some of the projects at each of the three sites supported by the Friends Group are similar, like buying benches for the sites. Representatives from all three sites agreed that with the walking involved benches were always helpful. At the Bear Paw Battlefield, Mike Inman said, "An existing bench was vandalized. The Park Service asked our group to replace it. We normally discuss the request among our board members then make a commitment." Another time, Inman described how the Friends Group, after a particularly wet spring and no NPS funds available, bought gravel for the entrance road at Bear Paw.

At Big Hole Battlefield, it's a slightly different challenge as there is a visitors' center there. President Luppi told how the NPS asked for help to purchase a pop machine for the visitor's center. Luppi said, "We bought the machine and now we split the proceeds, fifty percent to the Big Hole and fifty percent to the Friends Group to support other projects." There have also been benches purchased for the Big Hole.

Canyon Creek Battlefield is a designated national battle site, but most of the land is privately owned. There is no fulltime ranger and the only facilities are some informational kiosks. James Thorn, a Friends Group member and board member from Billings, does much of the weed cutting and mowing at the site strictly as a volunteer. Recently, the Yellowstone sheriff contacted Thorn and told him someone had dumped a load of trash at the site. Thorn and his family hauled off the trash. Thorn wrote, "I don't mind going out there to clean up periodically and check for vandalism, which has not been a big issue lately."

And the National Park Service is still enthusiastic about its relationship with Friends of Bear Paw, Big Hole and Canyon Creek Battlefields. Reached at her office in the Big Hole, Mandi Wick, Superintendent of the Big Hole National Battlefield and Montana Unit Manager said of the Friends Group, "They are wonderful people who help us with projects we can't do financially." She mentioned the purchase of the pop machine as an example of unique ways the Friends Group provides support and help.

Some of the work done by the Friends Group to help educate and inform visitors to the battlefields can be viewed on their website (www.nezpercebattlefields.org), their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/friendsnezpercebattlefields/) and a in a periodic newsletter mailed to members and available at Inman Insurance or the Bear Paw Battlefield office on Ohio Street in Chinook.

To become a member of Friends of Bear Paw, Big Hole and Canyon Creek Battlefields

President Luppi, of the Friends Groups, told there are about 75 current active members. Many of them, like Luppi, have family connections to some participant(s) who fought at the battle sites, but that is not a requirement. He added, "Most of our members are interested in preserving these parts of Montana history and the Friends Group is one way they can participate directly and help."

There are several ways to join the group and there are different financial commitment levels as well. You can see the membership information on the Friends Group website at http://www.nezpercebattlefields.org. You can pay directly for a membership through the website. Or you can call, write or email President Robert Luppi for membership information and how to join the group. Luppi is at 124 Por La Mar Circle, Santa Barbara, CA 93103. His email is luppilaw@yahoo.com or call him at 949-422-0811.

And check out the repainted sign at the entrance to the Bear Paw Battlefield. The "Journal" thanks the Friends of Bear Paw, Big Hole and Canyon Creek Battlefields and the other volunteers who help maintain this important local historical site and made the sign refurbishment possible.