Anniversary of final battle marked by weekend ceremonies

"From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever."

Those words were spoken in 1877, about 16 miles south of where Chinook now stands, by Chief Joseph of the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce. Joseph said the words at the end of a 1,400-mile flight, during which his small band about 200 warriors and 500 others had successfully fought with more than 2,000 U.S. soldiers and Indian Auxiliaries.

The commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the Battle of the Bear Paws, considered the last major military battle in the area, will begin tonight with a grand entry of a memorial powwow at the For...