National Photo Contest Launched to Honor Upcoming 150th Anniversary of the Historic Nez Perce Flight of 1877
$2,000+ in Cash Prizes Awarded for Images Capturing the Living Culture, History, and Landscapes of the 1,170-Mile Trail
CARSON CITY, Nev. (August 18, 2026) – In anticipation of the 2027 Sesquicentennial Commemoration, the American Indigenous Tourism Association (AIT), in partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation, has launched a national photography competition honoring the 150th anniversary of the 1877 Flight of the nimíipuu (Nez Perce).
The contest, titled “Honoring 150 Years of the Nez Perce Flight of 1877 Through Photography,” invites both amateur and professional photographers (ages 18+) to capture the living cultures, historic sites, and striking landscapes along the 1,170-mile Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail.
“This contest is about more than photography,” said Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe), CEO of the American Indigenous Tourism Association. “It is an opportunity to reflect on the resilience and courage of the nimíipuu people while encouraging visitors and communities to experience the landscapes and stories that continue to shape the Trail today.”
Categories and Award Structure
Photographers may submit up to three entries across two distinct categories:
- Landscape: Rivers, prairies, mountain passes, historic landmarks, and scenic trail vistas across Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.
- Culture & People: Contemporary expressions of nimíipuu culture, community gatherings, commemorative events, portraits, intergenerational storytelling, and enduring connections to sacred homelands.
A total prize pool will be distributed across categories:
- Grand Prize: $1,000
- First Place (per category): $500
- Second Place (per category): $250
- Third Place (per category): $150
Each entry must include a 50 to 100 word statement detailing the historical, cultural, or personal significance of the photograph.
Cultural Protocol & Submission Deadline
- Submissions will be accepted online through October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PDT.
- All entries must strictly honor Tribal cultural values, ceremony protocols, sacred sites, and the privacy and dignity of local Indigenous communities. Winning photographs will be featured in national educational outreach, exhibits, and promotional campaigns leading up to the 2027 Sesquicentennial.
This initiative is made possible through support from the Oregon Historic Trails Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. To review full contest rules, submission guidelines, and cultural considerations, visit: www.americanindigenoustourism.org/nez-perce-national-historic-trail.
For more than 27 years, the American Indigenous Tourism Association has worked to address inequities in the tourism system and has served as the national voice for U.S. Indigenous peoples engaged in cultural tourism, while providing technical assistance, training and capacity building to Native Nations and communities and Indigenous-owned enterprises engaged in tourism, hospitality, and recreation.
Native Nations and communities who are looking to start or expand their cultural tourism footprint can find resources at www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org and visitors interested in learning more about Indigenous culture can visit www.DestinationNativeAmerica.com.
About American Indigenous Tourism Association
For more than 27 years, the American Indigenous Tourism Association has served as the only national organization dedicated to advancing a mission to define, introduce, grow, and sustain American Indigenous tourism that honors traditions and values across the United States and its territories. Established by tribes for tribes to address inequities in the tourism system, the American Indigenous Tourism Association is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit governed by an all-Indigenous board of directors and serves as a united voice for the $11.6 billion Indigenous hospitality sector. Its successful legislative work led to the industry-changing Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act) funding in 2018, as Indian Country Tourism was recognized through federal appropriations via NATIVE Act implementation. Native Nations and communities who are looking to start or expand their cultural tourism footprint can find resources at www.AmericanIndigenousTourism.org and visitors interested in learning more about Indigenous culture can visit www.DestinationNativeAmerica.com.
About the Nez Perce National Historic Trail
Congress passed the National Trails System Act in 1968, establishing a framework for a nationwide system of scenic, recreational, and historic trails. The Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail stretches from Wallowa Lake, Oregon, to the Bear Paw Battlefield near Chinook, Montana. It was added to the National Trails System by Congress as a National Historic Trail in 1986. The Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail is the only National Historic Trail administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
About Oregon Community Foundation
Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. Each year, OCF distributes more than $200 million in grants and scholarships statewide in partnership with donors and volunteers. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, visit oregoncf.org.
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Media Contact:
Liz Slobodian, APR
Liz@shipwrightcommunications.com
Caption: Nez Perce National Historic Trail at the Fort Belknap Indian Community in Montana. Photo Credit: Bruce Rettig / AIT