Trust for the Nez Perce Trail
Stewardship Partner for the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail
About Us
The Trust for the Nez Perce Trail is a stewardship partner to the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, which is administered by the USDA Forest Service. We partner with the Nez Perce people and community organizations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming to help protect the trail, tell the stories of the Flight of 1877, and share today’s living Nez Perce culture. We also collaborate with the Nez Perce National Historical Park, Bureau of Land Management, State Departments of Transportation, and other federal/state agencies along the Trail, as well as the Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) and the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA).
Our Mission, Vision and Values
Our Mission is to provide ongoing support for the preservation, interpretation, promotion, and management of the Nez Perce (“Nee-Me-Poo”) National Historic Trail.
Our Vision is to coordinate partners and funding resources to help effectively implement priority initiatives for the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail. We manage resources wisely for development of leadership, volunteers, networks, and financial sustainability.
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RESPECT. The perspective of Nez Perce people on the events of 1877 is paramount, as well as their thriving culture today.
AUTHENTICITY. The Native voice leads cultural preservation and interpretation to tell the story of the Nez Perce War and exile.
INTEGRITY. We strive for historical accuracy, honesty, and transparency in our organization operations.
COLLABORATION. We connect communities, organizations, and people along the Trail to achieve mutually beneficial goals.
INNOVATION. We seek unique partnerships and innovative solutions to accomplish our vision.
Our Core Values
Our Leadership
David Wanzenried
Board President
Billings, MT
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David is a Historic Site Preservation activist, lead volunteer, former Montana legislator, and adjunct instructor of political science at Montana State University Billings. In 2020, he adopted and coordinated restoration of the Nez Perce Trail's Canyon Creek Battlefield interpretive site north of Laurel.
Christian Coppedge
Vice President
Billings, MT
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Christian is the Curator of Collections at the Yellowstone County Museum, a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) through the National Association for Interpretation, and a graduate of MSU Billings in History and Native American Studies. He also serves as a board member of the Pompeys Pillar Historical Association.
Kent Wellner
Treasurer
Moscow, ID
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Kent retired in 2023 following a 38-year career with the USDA Forest Service, most recently serving as the Region 1 Deputy Director of Recreation, Minerals, Lands, Heritage, and Wilderness in Missoula, MT. He and his wife now reside in Moscow, ID, where he previously earned his Masters in Forestry/Fire Ecology from the University of Idaho.
Sandra Broncheau-McFarland
Nez Perce Advisor
Lapwai, ID
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Sandra is a consultant and an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe. In early 2025, she retired as Administrator of the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail, a position she held for 30+ years. Her Forest Service career also included services as an Archaeologist, Interpretive Specialist, and Tribal Liaison before serving as the Trail Administrator.
Lorraine Roach
Executive Director
Stevensville, MT
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​Lorraine is a consultant specializing in strategic planning, heritage/cultural tourism, and nonprofit organization management for public, private, tribal, and nonprofit clients. She has worked on various projects with the Nez Perce people since 1998, including the Summer of Peace National Signature Event during the Lewis & Clark Expedition Bicentennial.
Jessica Bosch
Information Manager and Bookkeeper
Billings, MT
Jessica is a writer, marketer, and administrative professional with experience in both private and nonprofit sectors in Colorado, Arizona, and Montana. As owner of Passion Point Press, she also leads writers' retreats and helps aspiring writers with publishing.