2024 Heart Mountain Pilgrimage
Mineta-Simpson Institute Grand Opening
July 25-27, 2024
ATTENTION PILGRIMAGE ATTENDEES:
Welcome! Below is a schedule, for your information before you arrive in Cody (this schedule is subject to change). Please check the schedule for the times when the registration desk will be open for check-in. The registration table will be open at the Holiday Inn starting on Wednesday, July 24. Onsite registration is where participants check in with us so we know you’ve arrived and can provide you with registration packets including nametags, guidelines, a detailed schedule, and information for the entire weekend.
If you will not be able to check in before some of the events start (on Thursday, for example, or on Friday morning), please don’t worry, you may still attend everything, just let a member of staff know that you have not had a chance to check in and we will coordinate with you to get your name tag, bag, and details of the weekend all sorted out.
There will be signage in the Holiday Inn lobby leading you to the Heart Mountain Pilgrimage check-in where there will be schedules and information about the entire three days of events. There will also always be bus schedules in the lobby and at the main hub of the Pilgrimage activities at the Holiday Inn, the Taggarts Room, so you will not miss out on transportation.
View the schedule for the Pilgrimage Weekend here:
Please note: The schedule is subject to change. A printed schedule will be provided during check-in for the Pilgrimage at the Holiday Inn in Cody, WY.
Have questions or concerns? Please check out our Pilgrimage FAQs Page:
COVID Planning:
COVID remains a concern for this year’s Pilgrimage. There was a COVID outbreak during the Minidoka Pilgrimage earlier this month, and last year we had similar issues during our Pilgrimage.
Because our older attendees are at higher risk, we’re urging all participants in our upcoming Pilgrimage to take precautions to protect everyone’s health and safety. We request that you test for COVID upon arrival to Cody to help us catch an outbreak before it starts. In addition, please bring filtered masks (N-95 or KN-95) if you are concerned about contracting COVID while at our site and in Cody. We also have several recommendations for how you can treat a suspected case of COVID.
If you need a COVID test:
The most convenient place to purchase a COVID test is at the Walgreens at 1585 Sheridan Ave in downtown Cody. It’s open from 7:00am to 10:00pm and the pharmacy is open from 8:00am to 6:00pm. Other pharmacies in town are at Albertsons and Walmart.
If you need a Paxlovid prescription, contact a medical facility to speak to a doctor:
Cody Regional Health
707 Sheridan Ave
Open 24 Hours
307-527-7501
Billings Clinic
201 W. Yellowstone Ave
Open 8:00am – 5:00pm
Mon – Fri
307-527-7561
If you have any more questions or need to report a positive COVID test, please let us know at info@heartmountain.org or 307-754-8000.
Thank you for helping us keep our elders safe during this special event!
2024 Pilgrimage Overview
Courage, Cooperation, & Empathy
The 2024 Heart Mountain Pilgrimage will feature a celebration of the massive milestone that the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation and our generous supporters have made possible: the Grand Opening of the Mineta Simpson Institute at Heart Mountain!
The Mineta-Simpson Institute was conceptualized and created in the spirit of the late Norman Mineta and Alan Simpson. Our theme this year is also inspired by these two great men: Courage, Cooperation, & Empathy.
Join us from July 25th-27th to experience Heart Mountain, connect and reconnect with friends old and new, and be a part of the start of a new chapter at Heart Mountain with the grand opening of the Mineta-Simpson Institute.
Thank you to this year’s sponsors!
Minidoka Pilgrimage Planning Committee
The Powell Tribune
Sean DeNamur Designs
The Simpson Gallagher Gallery
Surf Wyoming
Tule Lake Committee
The UPS Store—Cody
Whittle, Hamilton and Associates, P.C.
Winninger Investments
Thursday, July 25
Registration check-in opens on Thursday, July 25th, at the Holiday Inn. Buses will depart from the Holiday Inn to the Heart Mountain Campus. Experience the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center and join a guided tour to the root cellar, the hospital, the memorial park, or partake in a taiko drumming workshop in the barrack with San Jose Taiko!
The afternoon will be filled with a series of workshops, including the Fudeko Project, tanka poetry, digital storytelling and more.
End the evening with some social time and belt out a tune during the ever-popular Frank Emi Karaoke!
Friday, July 26
The day will begin with the plenary session at the Wynona Thompson Theater, which will include a performance of “Question 27, Question 28,” featuring Tamlyn Tomita and others representing first-hand recollections of women’s wartime incarceration experiences.
The afternoon will be feature a panel discussion discussing the brand new graphic novel From Behind Barbed Wire to Washington about the lifelong friendship of Norman Mineta and Alan Simpson. Join the Multigenerational Discussion groups later in the afternoon, followed by an Art and Healing Session, new this year.
Saturday, July 27
Join us at the Heart Mountain Campus for lunch under the large tent. This day will feature guided tours of the honor roll, hospital, and barrack. We have a special lineup of speakers to celebrate the official grand opening of the Mineta-Simpson Institute. Be some of the first people to see the completed space!
Bring your Pilgrimage weekend to an end by attending the Sayonara Bouquet and participating in the silent auction and raffle drawing!
SATURDAY SITE TOURS:
Hospital
When it opened in 1942, the hospital complex on top of the hill could care for up to 150 patients. The hospital’s boiler house chimney is one of the most iconic structures of the former incarceration site. Explore the medical experiences of incarcerees at this original structure.
Memorial & Honor Roll
The Honor Roll lists all Heart Mountain incarcerees who served in the military during WWII (as well as WWI and the Korean War). After hearing about this structure, participants will have the opportunity to tour the Setsuko Saito Higuchi Memorial Walking Trail, which features images and facts about the original layout of the confinement site.
Barrack
Learn about life and camp experiences in the barrack setting. This original barrack building was brought back to Heart Mountain in 2015 and has been undergoing restoration work since then.
Sayonara Banquet:
After three days of sharing, learning, discussing, and exploring, enjoy a final evening of socializing by catching up with old friends and solidifying new friendships made throughout the event at a cocktail reception, the Sayonara Banquet, and a dessert buffet!
General Information:
Travel Information:
Our host hotels in Cody are the Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, and Buffalo Bill Cabins. We have a discounted rate available at all of these locations.
Check out the map below to see the layout of this group of hotels:
- Holiday Inn (307-587-5555)
- Comfort Inn (307-587-5556)
- Buffalo Bill Cabins (307-587-5544)
***If you plan to stay at any of the above hotels, please call them directly to make your booking and mention that you are attending the Heart Mountain Pilgrimage to take advantage of the discounted rate. If you book online, you will not be able to get the discount.
Please note: we have a block of rooms reserved until May 20 with these hotels. After that time, you may still be able to book a room, but we cannot guarantee availability. We recommend you book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Cody, Wyoming has an airport (named Yellowstone Regional Airport—COD) that is served by United Airlines with connecting flights through Denver, CO. The next closest airport is in Billings, Montana, which is approximately 90 minutes away by car. If you’re flying through Billings, you will need to make arrangements to rent a car at that airport as there is no public transportation between Billings and Cody.
For more information regarding travel arrangements for getting to and around Cody and Powell, Wyoming, you can visit www.codyyellowstone.org.
Archives & Collections Donations:
If you are considering bringing artifacts, documents or photographs from camp to the Pilgrimage for donation, please contact us beforehand at info@heartmountain.org or 307-754-8000
Silent Auction Donations:
The 2024 Heart Mountain Pilgrimage is just over a month away and we are still collecting donations for the silent auction. Perhaps you have a treasure from Japan that you would like to pass on, frequent-flyer miles, a piece of artwork, or an experience to sponsor/offer—any of these items would be greatly appreciated in this year’s auction.
To donate an item, please email a photo and description of the item to Rebecca McKinley at rebecca@heartmountain.org. Don’t forget to include your contact information! Rebecca will get back to you with additional information. We would like to offer a broad selection of items to make the auction successful. Please help us carry on this worthwhile Pilgrimage tradition. We appreciate your continued support!
Cancellation Policy:
No refunds will be given after the close of registration (July 1, 2024).