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.