Ant & Yellowjacket

A basalt arch on the hillside across the road depicts támsoy ka・?alatálo, Ant and Yellowjacket, locked in combat. In this river valley, many features relate to nimi・pu・ (Nez Perce) traditional stories, and the Ant and Yellowjacket arch marks a Nez Perce fishing site while expressing the moral that it is not wise to fight over the use of resources. In the story, Coyote, who has unusual powers and appears in many Nez Perce legends, tried to settle an argument between Ant and Yellowjacket as they fought over salmon. When they paid no attention to him, he turned them into stone just as they arched their backs and locked jaws.

Idaho · United States