By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Kassie John from the Diné Nation of Rock Point, Ariz. was crowned the 2024 Miss Indian World (MIW) at Gathering of Nations on Saturday, April 27.
Additionally, John won the Best Public Speaking Award. During the Public Speaking competition, she was asked to talk about a food, beverage, or plant and its significance to her tribe. She talked about corn and said she enjoys it in the form of blue corn mush. She explained the preparation and how it consists of dried blue corn, ground into a fine powder and mixed with juniper ash. It’s used to heal and nourish the body as it's a good source of calcium and makes people strong and powerful. (cont.)
In other news...
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Develynn Hall and Mauricea Two Eagle were 2024 Miss Indian World contestants representing the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
Although neither of them came home with the crown, they both gained an unforgettable experience. They share their fondest memories of the pageant and what they’ve learned in the process. (cont.)
By ECHO MARSHALL
Tribal Public Affairs
FORT HALL — On April 9, the Fort Hall Business Council (FHBC) met with United States Department of Interior (DOI) Representatives Wizipan Garriott, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs and Bryan Mercier, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Regional Director and staff to discuss the 600,000-acre Eastern Boundary Survey Error that resulted from a federal land survey conducted in 1873.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the current status of the matter, review maps and next steps that need to be taken to get the land back. They also discussed salmon and buffalo treaty issues. (cont.)
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The vision for a Shoshone-Bannock Early Childhood gymnasium has become reality with the official ribbon cutting of the facility April 26 that featured the children, tribal leaders and program staff.
Valerie Gardner, a program specialist from Region 11 of the Administration of Children and Families Office of Head Start, was also present. She assisted in getting one time funding for the facility. It was her first time in Fort Hall and she was excited for the ribbon cutting of the facility. (cont.)
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Enterprise were vendors at the Indian Traders Market selling a variety of beaded goods and handmade crafts made by tribal member artists.
Enterprise’s, Mitzi Sabori, explained they have come to Gathering of Nations to sell for the last 15 years to help promote the tribes and beadwork. Other large Native gatherings they attend are the Indian National Finals Rodeo and the National Indian Gaming Association.
Beadwork inventory is purchased from tribal members during beadwork buying days at the Blue Corner Store by Manager Curtis Suetopka. (cont.)
By OLIVIA YOKOYAMA
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — On April 26 the Language and Cultural Preservation Department hosted a Bitterroot and Wild Onion Gathering for tribal members in Mackay to educate and present what the traditional food (kahna) Shoshone and kangicha (Bannock) are.
“I’m really excited to have this opportunity to gather our kah’na or bitterroot.” Bailey Dann said.
Before the gathering began Tribal Elder Farrel Wildcat prayed for the food that was going to be gathered and Dann offered and shared tobacco and cedar with those that gathered. (cont.)
Previous headlines...
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
IDAHO FALLS — Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes celebrated “Sogo Bia Dabai’Yi (Earth Day)” on Monday, April 22.
The day began with a caravan from Fort Hall to Middle Butte Cave where Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Lee Juan Tyler, FHBC Treasurer Ladd Edmo and Lemhi Shoshone elder Louie Martin offered prayers for safety and protection, the future of the youth and blessings for Sogo Bia.
Chairman Tyler said it was good to be in the ancestral homelands on Earth Day, which is every day for Indigenous people. (cont.)
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The 15th Annual Eastern Idaho Distinguished Humanities Lecture with “Killers of the Flower Moon” author David Grann, was on Thursday, April 18 at the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel & Event Center.
The Idaho Humanities Council’s mission is to provide opportunities to deepen public understanding of human experience by connecting people with ideas. The vision of the IHC is that the humanities inspire a more literate, tolerant, and intellectually inquisitive Idaho citizenry, better able to embrace life’s possibilities. (cont.)
By OLIVIA YOKOYAMA
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — On April 11, Lloyd George, a Shoshone-Bannock Tribal member, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America & Hormel Foods Class of 2024.
The Culinary Enrichment and Enrichment Program was created for commercial and non-commercial chefs. The CIA program is offered to chefs that want to develop into a more advanced training in the Culinary Arts Study. George is one of 18 skilled chefs and the only Native American that graduated from the CIA Program and is an employee at the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel and Casino as a certified chef who administers the banquet and bingo concessions. (cont.)
By OLIVIA YOKOYAMA
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — On April 11 and 12, ISU’s Workforce Training and Home Depot hosted a Construction Combine for students and job seekers that are looking to expand their knowledge and learn new skills in a trade.
The students worked as a group to construct 11 sheds to be donated to the veterans around the Chubbuck and Pocatello area. The event was a great turnout for the community said Akaila Martin, TERO apprentice coordinator because it brought community members on and off the reservation that included students and Journeyman from the TERO and 477 program, along with Drug Court Participants from different diversion courts. (cont.)
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Fort Hall Extension hosted an annual gardening workshop series with their first class on Hanging Flower Baskets and House Plants on Monday, April 15.
Lending their expertise to about 20 participants were owners of J&J Florals of Blackfoot, Jessica Diaz and Jayme Albertson.
Participants learned to pot a houseplant and about its care. They selected from three different types, including a brasil philodendron, lemon lime philodendron and golden pothos. (cont.)
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Community Health and Public Health staff were honored with a plaque at Waapi Kani Mental Wellness & Recovery Services Toiletry Drive and Feast on Thursday, April 11.
Accepting the Community Health Award was Nancy Wahtomy, patient navigator. Who was praised for her advocacy for community members. Public Health Departments included Diabetes Program, Community Health Representatives, Nursing and Health Education. (cont.)
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The J.R. Simplot Corp. appealed the Blackrock Land Exchange decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals after the federal district court ruled twice in favor of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
In March 2023, a federal district court ruled that a proposed land exchange between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Simplot Corporation violated federal law and the government’s trust responsibility to protect the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes interests in lands that were ceded. (cont.)