Micah Bisbee and Family: The Nimiipuu Help Base

  • Photo of Micah Bisbee and family organizing donated materials such as Clorox wipes, toilet paper, and more

Name:

Micah Bisbee

Location:

Idaho

Community (affiliation):

Nez Perce (Nimiipuu)

About this story: Micah Bisbee of the Nez Perce Tribe started a non-profit organization called “Nimiipuu Help Base,” which supported all community members who needed groceries/personal hygiene/etc. while they were in quarantine or isolation and could not leave to get their own items.

Read more about Micah, watch a video, and see excerpts from the Nimipuu Help Base page:

Micah graduated from the University of Montana Western with her Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science, along with three minors May 2020. She realized her people needed help and she did not hesitate to step up and do her part in serving her community. With the help of Micah’s family: Roberta Jose-Bisbee (mom), Michaele Bisbee Jr. (dad), Madden Bisbee (sister), and Memphis Bisbee (sister), they stepped up when they were needed most.

The Nez Perce Tribe, also known as the Nimiipuu people, is a federally recognized tribe in north-central Idaho with more than 3,500 enrolled citizens. Headquartered in Lapwai, ID, the Nez Perce Reservation spans about 770,000 acres. There are several small towns on the reservation and Covid Home Base served a majority of these towns: Lapwai, Kamiah, Orofino, Culdesac, Craigmont, etc.

Nimiipuu Help Base

Micah noticed her community was in need and no else wanted to step up, so she did. At first, she gave the idea to her mom, Roberta Jose-Bisbee: Executive Director of Nimiipuu Health, Micah’s mom posted her idea on Facebook and they received positive affirmations. Micah and her family created a community Facebook page where they communicated with volunteers and donators, this Facebook page is where those who needed assistance would reach out via private message of what items were requested.

Micah constantly posted daily updates on the Facebook page. Micah and her family got started and the monetary donations started pouring in. Micah, her family, and the community ran this organization for six months just off of monetary donations, food donations, local businesses donations, and many other people from across Indian Country.

The Nimiipuu Help Base raised an estimate of $8,000 in a span of three months and it didn’t stop there. With the help of community member Jasmine Higheagle, she brought in the Peacekeeper Society, Portland Oregon, that distributed food boxes for the whole community.

Click on an image to enlarge it and scroll through the gallery:

Screenshot of Facebook text post from the Nimiipuu Help Base - COVID-19 Facebook Group. The text reads: "Hello! We made this fb page regarding those families who are in quarantine/isolation! If you and your family are needing scheduled breakfast/lunch/dinner or anything in general! Please feel free to give us a message! Those who would like to join and help us out gleave a comment down below! I can get you added to the group [smiley face emoji]." Below is an image of a sunset over mountains.
Screenshot of Facebook text post from the Nimiipuu Help Base - COVID-19 Facebook Group. The text reads: "As we see positive cases rising and people or family households needing items, please have family reach out if they don't feel comfortable or have the energy. We can get items out as needed. We are still here to help! [heart emoji]"
Poster for the Nimiipuu Help Base - COVID-109. The poster is in shades of blue and features a man, Chief Joseph, dressed in traditional regalia looking at the viewer. A quote at the top reads: "I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more." More text below reads, "We will get through this together." At the bottom, text within a stylized box reads: "NIMIPUU HELP BASE COVID19"
Screenshot of Facebook comments the Nimiipuu Help Base - COVID-19 Facebook Group. The first comment, from Mary Taylor, reads: "Again, thank you all for all you are doing for the community and those fighting this virus. Take care of yourself and stay safe. (((HUGS))) to all of you." The second comment, from Sego Dance-Leighton says: "You all are amazing! Thank you![heart emoji]". The third comment, from Lelanda Rickman, says: "Thank you all!!!". The fourth comment, from Rachel E Chedda Ellenwood says: "you guys are so awesome! Thank you [prayer emoji] for risking your own healths to help those in need. I will donate again what I can again this week [smiley face emoji]." The fifth comment, from Danielle Bohn Scott, says: "You all are doing an amazing job helping so many people. We picked more Mountain tea yesterday so we have more available if there are requests. Just let me know." The last comment, from Terri Calfrobe, says: "Thank you for all your hard work, I appreciate everything you've done for me while I was down. [heart emoji][prayer emoji]"
A photo of the Nimiipuu Help Base tent full of cleaning supplies, toiletries, and more.
Screenshot of Facebook comments the Nimiipuu Help Base - COVID-19 Facebook Group. The first comment by Mollie Rose Cline reads: "It's so amazing when people donate what they can whether it's time, money or muscle. It's so appreciated. Thank you for doing all that you can for our people and community. It takes the loving heart that we all have. Thank you all for the amazing job that you are doing. God bless you abundantly." The second comment, from Bernadine Weaskus, says: "Thought I'd share this! Driving I was thinking Micah is an amazing young lady! Then I seen this! [prayer emoji][heart emoji] Thank you for all you do!" Attached is an image of a window decal on a car that says "Live like Micah, Love like Micah"
Screenshot of Facebook text post from the Nimiipuu Help Base - COVID-19 Facebook Group. The text reads: "We are thankful enough to have Dr. Wilson write us up a description of what the pulse oximeters are used for and how to track your oxygen levels!" Further shared text reads: "A pulse oximeter (aka "pulse ox) is a device used to measure your pulse (heart beat) and your oxygen levels. Some people that have COVID-19 infection can get the infection in their lungs causing their oxygen levels to be low. When our oxygen levels are low this can put increased stress on our hearts and brains and other organs and can be very dangerous. Your oxygen levels should be above 90% when you are at rest and when you are walking. It is important to check with walking as well because some people are only low with activity but this can be an early sign of worsening disease and is an important time to see medical care. It's also important to check your oxygen levels even if you feel ok because some have low oxygen levels even if they don't have symptoms. Having cold fingers or dark nail polish can sometimes make the readings innacurate/wrong."
A photo of a man with two shoulder-length braids holding two large plastic bags filled with materials.He is standing next to a schoolbus in a parking lot, and smiling at the viewer from behind the mask.
Screenshot of Facebook text post from the Nimiipuu Help Base - COVID-19 Facebook Group. The text reads: "As of October 29th, activities since October 14th to current for Nimiipuu Covid Home Base. We have distributed 169 food boxes not including financial contributions to families for their family members to grocery shop for them. With the 3 deliveries scheduled for tomorrow, we have delivered 6 boxes to the kamiah area from Tuesday-Friday. Thank you Ryan Oatman for delivering this week, thank you Sasheen and Brett for making delivieries a few weeks ago, thank you Lapwai Wildcat Cheerleaders for delivering along with Cheer Coach Catherine, parent Jeanette Moody, and Joslyn Leighton. Thank you to Jackie McArthur & DelRae Kipp for delivering to 6 elders a couple weeks ago in the Kamiah/Kooskia area, thank you Abe Broncheau for delivering to 10 families in Kamiah - the pork donations from the NPTE. Thank you to the following for recent donations: Nez Perce Tribe Housekeeping for donating disinfectant bottles to supplement Lysol spray since it's hard to come by, which is always prepared and delivered by Tyler Hotch - thank you young man. Thank you NPTE - Executive Office, Debi Moody (provided 3 full house deliveries of essential items), DelRae Kipp $100, Roberta Jose-Bisbee $150, and William & Catherine Big Man $140. Thank you Thunder/Chrissy Garcia, Josh & Dawn Leighton Family, Angela Picard & Family, and Robert & Cass Kipp for donations, Daniel Spaulding for monetary donation, Pauline Bisbee for monetary donation, and Margret Anderson for monetary donation. If you are not listed as a donor, our apologies for not referencing you, please send Micah a private message so we can update our donations list, we will get home and find items on the donations table so keep us posted so we can add you to the list. Again, all items provided is from what we have in supply. Thank you all for the helping hand. Take care and be safe.

Micah and her family had Covid Home Base located in their front yard with a white tent that covered all the totes that were filled with: foods, personal hygiene, cleaning supplies, etc. There was also a fridge in their front yard that held meat and produce. Micah’s mother had to undergo an important surgery so her family and community volunteers tried to pass over Covid Home Base to the tribal leaders, but sadly and unfortunately it was not carried on.

Micah, her family, and community volunteers did an amazing job in serving and supporting their people and community. Micah always leaves her mark wherever she goes and she showed the younger generation they can do anything they set their mind to, she is a great role model for our community.

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