Paper short abstract:

This paper presents a case study of the Nez Perce National Historical Park’s heritage sites and the ways in which sound and storytelling facilitates community engagement and the continuation of cultural knowledge.

Paper long abstract:

This paper presents a case study of the Nez Perce National Historical Park’s heritage sites and the ways in which sound and storytelling facilitates community engagement and the continuation of cultural knowledge. This paper explores how soundscapes at the Heart of the Monster site impacts, engages and transforms relationships between heritage sites, Indigenous communities and visitors to the Park. This case study illustrates how important the attitudes are of the federal government employees working at the Park who are crafting two-way relationships with community members while making a safe and welcoming space in which to exhibit and learn about the history of the Nez Perce people. Of utmost importance is the Park’s emphasis on the use of the Nez Perce language in creating spaces that are welcoming for community members to celebrate culture while educating the next generation about Nez Perce cultural heritage. This paper hopes to showcase a model upon which other cultural heritage sites can be framed.