Carlino Broncho design.
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.
To get a better understanding of what the community would like to see in the new casino she conducted a survey in 2015. The things people wanted to see represented were horses due to Indian relay racing, salmon, buffalo, murals, sculptures, storytelling, a carpet with a significant design, to name a few. A lot of people liked the idea of choosing a design with Shoshone-Bannock beadwork.
The names of the rooms were chosen by the Fort Hall Business Council. The name for the facility will stay the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel & Casino. The name for the bar is The Stampede. The buffet is the Painted Horse Buffet and the decor was focused on traditional foods such as chokecherries. The Bingo Hall name would also be kept the same.
Some of the local artists featured are Eddie Kniffin woodwork, a Rusty Houtz bronze sculpture, Benny Dann beaded doll, a Benny Dann buffalo skull, Handdrums by Pete Yellowjohn, and other items such as beadwork, historical photos, paintings, and textiles. These items will appear throughout the casino and in glass cases at the entrance of the building.
The central focus of the middle floor of the casino is a light fixture that is modeled after a beaded medallion made by the late Loren Coby. Handdrum light fixtures are also incorporated. The carpet matches a parfleche design by Carlino Broncho.
Teton explained the people chose the Yaha Room name because it’s a delicacy food and was an important staple of the traditional diet. The Yaha Room is the non-smoking room.
The Eagle Room is the high limit area it will feature eagle window etchings.
Teton said choosing the designs was a process to make all the decisions.
Teton said it was fun and she really enjoyed working with the team.
“I think everything worked out pretty good and I think that’s the most important,” said Teton.