By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Nathan Small emphasized the opening of the new Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel was a long time coming, but it’s now here.

The Opening Day Ceremony for the momentous event was Wednesday, February 13. (cont.)

By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — USA’s Team Wolves finished third overall at the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Global Cup February 9 and 10 in Arlington, Texas and coach Wiley Petersen said there’s no shame in it as his team competed against the best bull riders in the world, along with the best bulls.

Team Brazil won the event with 939.25 points riding 11 of 18 bulls winning $365,100. The other USA team – Team Eagles finished second with 867 points riding 10 of 18 bulls earning $141,050. Cooper Davis of Team Eagles was the individual aggregate winner with 263.25 points taking home $30,000 for the top-finishing rider. (cont.)

By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Jennie Whitehorse was crowned Miss Shoshone-Bannock 2019, February 12 in the Tribal Business Center Council Chambers after Sequoia Pahvitse-Auck resigned because of illness.

Spring Creek Singers sang an honor song for the new queen and Fort Hall Business Council member Lee Juan Tyler gave the prayer.

Tribal Royalty Committee Chairperson Darla Morgan explained Pahvitse-Auck resigned because she believed she wasn’t able to fulfill her duties. “We wish her the best and prayer for her,” Morgan said. As first attendant, Jennie was called upon to step up and after one day of thought, she agreed. (cont.)

By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Decor at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel was selected by a committee of tribal members to give visitors a visual representation of the Shoshone-Bannock people.

Plans for the design went back to 2014 when FFKR Architects were the original contractors the committee worked with.

The Fort Hall Business Council appointed Randy’L Teton, Public Affairs Manager, to oversee the committee, she went to the districts and did a call out for committee volunteers, which included Nicole Johnson, Sheryl Slim, the late Carlino Broncho, Donna McArthur, Leah Apodaca, Donna Metz, Nita Teton, Alana Baldwin, Bonnie Wadsworth and Echo Marshall. (cont.)

By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
IRVING, Texas — Ruben Little Head, master of ceremonies at the Fancy Dance Showcase conducted during the Professional Bull Riders USA Global Cup at AT&T Stadium February 8 to the 10 said the event was successful and exciting despite cold temperatures.

He said the event was outdoors – earlier in the week it was 80 degrees but during the Showcase it dropped between 30 and 40 degrees but the dancers endured.

“I was very pleased and satisfied with the drums Wild Rose and Southern Style,” he said. Concerning the dancers, 11 of 15 registered men’s fancy dancers showed up and 13 of 14 registered women fancy dancers competed. “We had a good turnout and were still able to break each of the men and women dancers into three groups to compete. The dancers had five songs to dance to ranging from straight, Crow Hop, fast and medium. On Saturday, the dancers were narrowed to the top ten when they did solos as their names were drawn out of a hat so they didn’t know what group they were in. They also drew for what drum they were dancing to. (cont.)

By LACEY WHELAN
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — During the opening ceremony and ribbon cutting for the new Shoshone Bannock Casino Hotel, many Tribal members, dignitaries, and others from many different areas, gathered together to make it a special day for a move into the future.

Tribal member Sarah Johnson said she thinks the new casino is a beautiful, great attraction, with many amenities for everyone to benefit from. She likes how the construction came together and how everyone came together to make this great casino happen. She hasn’t personally been inside the new casino yet, but looks forward to visiting each part, after the ribbon cutting and is curious to see what the casino has to offer. (cont.)

FORT HALL — The Community Health Representatives are assisting the Snow Removal Committee with the medical priority list.

The Snow Removal Committee was established for Fort Hall Indian Reservation residents that have chronic medical conditions and require snow removal from driveways to attend medical treatments, care or have medical personnel come into the home to assist during winter months.

There are two priority levels utilized for local community members requiring snow removal while undergoing chronic life-saving medical treatments. (cont.)