Dexter Navo and Karen Osborne look through the new artwork exhibit at the Sho-Ban Casino Hotel.
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.
One of the dignitaries, Larry Pelowski from the Idaho State Lottery, said the beautiful new facility is going to be a great edition to the Tribes, and is excited for everyone. From the Idaho Lottery’s prospective, for many years they’ve been interested in co-existing with the Casino. Pelowski said it’s been neat to see how the building has come along over time, and couldn’t be happier. He thinks it is an awesome place.
Tribal Elder Bob Pevo, from the Bannock Creek District, who also sat in during the ribbon cutting ceremony said he was there with his friends to enjoy the opening ceremony for the new casino, and thinks the whole thing is a good business venture for the Tribes. He believes it’s a new experience that will benefit our people in a good way. He understands that we all need the per capita to keep the culture, language, homeland, and resources and ceremonies in gear. He looks at the new casino in a positive way and can benefit our people. With the new casino it will be good for the younger generation and it gives them something to look forward to, it will give them jobs and keep them from going out and messing with drugs and alcohol. He looks at the long-term benefits that will be gained from the new casino, and understands it will bring a lot of business and financial ventures back to our people. When tribal members receive their percaps, they in turn go to town and give them our money, and it’s their turn to come out and give us their money. He was glad to be a part of the ceremony, and he thought it was good to see the tribal councilmen and the local community members coming together and making the event happen.
Tribal member Mitzi Sabori said she was happy to see a big crowd at the opening ceremony, and enjoyed listening to Hovia Edwards-Yellowjohn playing the flute. She thought the salmon ice sculptures were a nice touch. Sabori says she is so excited to see the new casino finally opening up, and hopes everyone welcomes the new faces visiting, and is excited to see everyone enjoying the new casino and hotel, and visiting the buffet.
There will also be a Grand Opening Celebration scheduled for Saturday, February 23, 2019. The Shoshone Bannock Casino Hotel invites the public to participate in multiple promotions, activities, entertainment, and giveaways.