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Lapwai Nov 10th 1902

Dear Miss Gay

There is [[underlined]] no such word as chopunnish [[/underlined]] in the Nez Perce language. not one of the people recognizes it. Certainly a mistake in L & C. in trying to get the word Choop nit or Chup nit palu.

Chup nit pa lu (i e) Coop nit pa lu, has several meanings wide apart as they seem to be.
1st Chup nit pa lu. The people of the pierced noses.
2nd Chup nit pa lu  The people emerging from the bushes or forest.

Chup nit pa lu was a name given to [[underlined]] all [[/underlined]] tribes on the Western side of the mts. by the Indians on the East side. Although it was [[underlined]] only [[/underlined]] the Indians from the Dalles to the Sea, or lower Columbia who practised this. occasionally a Nez P. would pierce his nose (for the fun of the thing)

And still the Crows. call the Nez Perce Chup nit pa lu. I was talking