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niimíipuum titwáatit
​The People's Stories

támsoy káa ‘alatálo - Ant and Yellow Jacket

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The Ant and Yellow Jacket is a stone formation located in Idaho along the Clearwater River above U.S. Highway 12.  It is part of the Nez Perce National Historical Park.  The following is a condensed version of the Ant and Yellow Jacket story, explaining how they came to be there.

The Nez Perce Language Program has published copies of támsoy káa ‘alatálo.  You can get a copy at the Nez Perce Language building in Lapwai, Idaho, or at the Language room in the Wa-A'Yas Community Building in Kamiah, Idaho.

Click the image to download your own copy of the Nez Perce Language Program's illustrated version of this traditional story.  To read along with our elder, Florene Davis, watch the video below!


pálx̣c káa héey’uxc - Snowshoe Hare and Cottontail Rabbit

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pálx̣c káa héey’uxc, sometimes referred to as the Rabbit Brothers, is a story about the Snowshoe Hare and the Cottontail Rabbit and how they came to live separately.  They find happiness in different ways and adapt to their homes.

The Nez Perce Language Program has published copies of pálx̣c káa héey’uxc.  You can get a copy at the Nez Perce Language building in Lapwai, Idaho, or at the Language room in the Wa-A'Yas Community Building in Kamiah, Idaho.

Click the image to download your own copy of the Nez Perce Language Program's illustrated version of this traditional story.  Watch the video below, narrated by Thomas Gregory!


tim'néepe - Heart of the Monster

The story of Coyote and Monster, also known as tim'neepe (heartplace/Heart of the Monster), is the Niimiipuu creation story.  It describes how Coyote defeated the Monster terrorizing the Kamiah/Kooskia area, and created human beings.

Click the picture to access a copy of the story with the English translation.
Monster - Morphology by Harold Crook PH.D. Click here to access.
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Nez Perce National Historic Park Heart of The Monster, Kooskia, ID
Tim'néepe: Heart of the Monster stage play (with subtitles)
(0-30 minutes).

Waking up Tim'néepe: a documentary
(at 30 minutes - 1:01:10).

Gene Ellenwood: the story of Monster and Coyote
(at 1:01:11 - 1:11:18).
Click here to access a downloadable version of this video.

wex̣wéqt kaa ti’íla hiyk’íwne paalóoycina - Frog and Crawdad Enjoy the Sun


​By the Nez Perce Language Program with Bessie Scott, Florene Davis &
​Angel Sobotta. As told by & illustrated by Kevin Peters NPT 2018 ©

pe’túuqes ’áayat wéxweqene - ​Fickle Lady Frog/Silly Miss Frog

From Tales of the Nimipoo: From the Land of the Nez Perce Indians
Eleanor B. Heady (1970)
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