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Importance of food sovereignty discussed at final LCPD Brown Bag series presentation
By LIZZIE BOYD
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Shoshone-Bannock Language and Culture department had their final Brown Bag lunch series on food sovereignty for Native American Heritage month November 20.
Rebecca Washakie, Shoshone-Bannock Tribal member who works remotely for the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board as a BS Environmental Public Health Coordinator, was the first presenter on Native American Food Sovereignty, nourishing land, culture and community.
Food sovereignty is defined as the right of Indigenous peoples to define, grow, harvest, and share their own foods. Washakie discussed why food sovereignty is so important, she said, “it strengthens tribal sovereignty and self-determination. It protects and revitalizes language, ceremony and cultural identity.” Food sovereignty also improves health outcomes and resilience in crises, such as pandemics, supply chain disruptions or the things such as the government shutdown. (cont.)
In other news...
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Thanks to a $5,000 contribution from Hunger Free Idaho, Fort Hall Recreation manager Juan Rodriguez said they were able to distribute 400 turkeys to the Fort Hall community November 20 and 24.
Dawn Pierce, Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force Board president, was key in making the donation. (cont.)
By YVONNE WARJACK
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — On Saturday, November 22, tribal members gathered at the Sho-Ban Jr./Sr. High School cafeteria for the Buckskin Gloves & Gauntlet Class, a hands-on cultural workshop hosted by the Shoshone-Bannock Language & Culture Preservation Department.
The class was taught by instructor Sonya Wadsworth and the rest of the Language & Culture Preservation Department such as Louise Dixey, who guided participants through each step of crafting traditional gloves and gauntlets. (cont.)
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — In the interest of protecting the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes data, an Artificial Intelligence Policy is being proposed that will be sent to all tribal departments.
Artificial Intelligence was the subject of the second Brown Bag series the Tribes Language and Culture Preservation Department hosted November 13 for Native American Heritage Month.
Louise Dixey, LCPD director, said she drafted the policy because implementing artificial intelligence must be governed by clear policies to ensure ethical use, Tribal data protection and transparency. The AI policy outlines the principles and guidelines for the responsible and respectful us of AI with the Tribes. (cont.)
From last week:
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Shoshone-Bannock tribal members have until November 24 at 4 p.m. to submit their comments on Navajo Power’s Solar Project proposal with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
The Tribes Land Use Policy Commission conducted a Special Use Permit public hearing November 14 in the Tribal Business Center Dome Room that many attended.
Navajo Power is proposing to lease 704 acres of previously disturbed land from the Tribes between Interstate 15 and Highway 91 for 40 years to develop a 100-megawatt solar project and storage facility they’re referring to as SBT Solar. (cont.)
FORT HALL — The Fort Hall Business Council has approved the distribution of Shutdown Assistance Vouchers to provide financial relief to enrolled Shoshone-Bannock Tribal members affected by the federal government shutdown.
The initiative is funded under Resolution TAXC-2025-0728 is coordinated by the Tribal Tax Department in partnership with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Enterprise Corporation (SBTEC) and the Tribal Enrollment Department. Each enrolled tribal member as of November 1, 2025, will receive four Shutdown Assistance Vouchers valued at $25 each. The vouchers may be redeemed at Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Enterprise store locations. (cont.)
By LIZZIE BOYD
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The annual Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel Veterans Day Powwow was Saturday, November 15 with 368 registered dancers and 20 drums in attendance.
Bart Powaukee was emcee and Corey Reeder served as arena director.
Host drum was Red Hoop from Nevada because Cree Confederation cancelled. Other drums include: Spring Creek, Iron Colt, Yakima, Cliff Eagle, Duck Valley, The Horses, Ramblers, Desert Creek, Young Buffalo, Little Sun, Buffalo Trail, Young Enemy, Red Spirit, Blue Horse, Scout Society, War Eagle, Spirit Horse, Eagle Chief, Medicine Thunder and Ghost Canyon. (cont.)
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Office of Public Affairs
FORT HALL — After more than four decades of a dedicated career to youth development, agriculture education, and community growth, Nola Cates will retire as the Agriculture Extension Director.
Her remarkable career of service began on August 30, 1984, and her last day is on November 21.
Cates has been considering retirement for the past few years, but says she only recently felt fully ready to make the move.
“I’m looking forward to the freedom to set my own pace and do what I want to do. No reports, no budgets, no mandatory meetings,” she said. (cont.)
