Rebuilding committee looking for donations

The Nez Perce Longhouse Rebuilding Committee is asking for help in its efforts to rebuild their tribal longhouse that was lost to an electrical fire three years ago.

Secretary Gloria Simpson said last week that an¥yone can h¥åelp with funding by sending a check or money order to the Chief Joseph Longhouse Building Fund, in care of Albert Andrews-Redstar, 1105 Tilmus Street, Coulee Dam, Wash., 99116.

Simpson said the group is using a variety of methods to develop funding for the new longhouse, including grants and the soliciting of funds from the public.

The committee made what it thought was a successful presentation before the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians (ATNI) earlier this month asking for funding assistance.

The new longhouse is estimated to cost $3 million.

When the longhouse was razed by fire early in the morning Dec. 26, 2012, it was reported that it was insured for $350,000. In addition to the structure, scores of Nez Perce artifacts were destroyed.

Developing loss estimates on the artifacts has delayed insurance settlements.

Simpson said many of the artifacts were priceless and one of a kind, making their value difficult to estimate.

The longhouse committee has set July 1 as a target date for groundbreaking for a new, modern tribal building that will resemble the Warm Springs longhouse, according to officials.

More information is available by calling 509-631-4339.