the cjd encampment
FREE to the public • A Cultural Celebration • July 25, 2026 at 12:00 pm
what is the encampment
Join us at the Encampment Pavilion, just east of the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena, for a unique cultural experience during Chief Joseph Days Rodeo.
Enjoy a traditional Native American feast, vibrant dance performances, and community hospitality — all open to the public.
Date & Time: Saturday, July 25, 2026 • 12:00 pm
Location: Encampment Pavilion • East of Harley Tucker Memorial Arena
TASTE OF TRADITION
No entry fee — open to the public
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2026
Food, culture, dance — all in one location
Salmon prepared fresh in traditional style — more than a dish, it’s a symbol of heritage.
Bison provided by Stangel Bison Ranch — from the plains to your plate.
Potluck donations welcome (but not required).
Volunteers welcome: Contact Jean Pekarek at 541-426-4780
Address for GPS: 405 W Wallowa Ave., Joseph, OR 97846
Following the feast, stay for a mesmerizing display of traditional Native American dance. This vibrant expression of culture is free and open to all — plan to stay, watch, and join the celebration.
About Chief Joseph
Chief Joseph's Nimíipuu name, Hinmut-too-yah-lat-kekeht, translates to "Thunder Rolling In the Mountains" in English. Born in 1840, most likely in the breathtaking Wallowa Valley, he grew to become a respected chief. In his later years, white settlers came to know him as "Young Joseph."
White settlers had been gradually arriving in the Valley of the Winding Waters since approximately 1834. These initial arrivals consisted of explorers, trappers, and missionaries, a mere trickle at the outset. However, this trickle evolved into a steady stream, eventually transforming into a torrent that inundated the land, erasing all that once was.
