Language & Cultural Preservation continue working towards sustainability
The Activity Boxes incorporate teaching tools and the Shoshone and Bannock language.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Despite the social distancing limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic the Language & Cultural Preservation Department is still busy promoting traditional teachings virtually for youth and elders, along with thinking of ways to fulfill their Tribal Practices for Wellness in Indian Country CDC Grant, and working with national and state entities for educational signage on the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes areas of significance.
They will be hosting their second Youth and Elders Virtual Gathering on Friday, February 26 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., which will feature Gary Watson and Leander Watson as they speak about traditional hunting practices. A drive thru dinner for participants and their families will be provided afterwards. They had 19 participants at their last event and served over 100 meals. More events like this will occur every other Friday in March and April.
They are in their third year of their Tribal Practices for Wellness in Indian Country CDC Grant and are awaiting word on if they will be extended funding for another year. Department Manager, Louise Dixey, said because of the funding leftover they had to make changes to their budget and develop very specific details and timelines for planned events. The main goal of the grant is to support the seasonal, cultural and traditional practices that will promote health and wellness, returning to the homelands, revitalizing language and traditional foods.
L&CP has developed Activity Boxes filled with items to use in the classroom.
Nolan Brown and Bobbette Haskett work for the department as Original Territories & Historical Researchers; they have been tasked to engage with federal and state agencies, and other organizations like museums, and non-profits on education and interpretation. Their job is to help with signage projects all across the original territories of the Shoshone and Bannock people.
Brown said, “If we leave the interpretation of our people up to people who are not us, then they are telling our story. So we’re taking control over the interpretation of our Tribes history across all our territories.”
In addition to them doing all the signs, they want to incorporate the Tribal Practices Grant with physical activities for wellness. Therefore, when they reveal the signs Brown said they would like to have as many tribal members attend to take a look at the signs, learn some history and be in the areas that are the homelands. In some areas they will have the opportunity for float trips with the River Newe and STEAM.
Bobette Haskett said COVID has forced them to think outside of the box out of everything of what they usually do.
Because of COVID, last year a lot of the events the department puts on were either delayed or cancelled, they were still able to host virtual events and food gatherings with social distance measures in place. This year they plan to continue with the projects and activities as planned by incorporating safety practices for the health and safety of the people.
New signage will be developed or recently have been developed for the East Fork Salmon River at Little Boulder Creek; City of Rocks; Grand Teton at Pacific Creek; Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument at Snake River Overlook and the Oregon Trail Overlook; Milner National Historic Area; Indian Rocks ACEC; Oregon Trail Reserve in Boise at three different overlooks; Rock Creek Station/Stricker Ranch; Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh; Teton Creek Corridor; Craters of the Moon; Owyhee River Wilderness; Bruneu-JarBidge Rivers Wilderness Area; and work on historic roadside markers throughout Idaho, to name a few.
Tribal member artist Derek No Sun Brown has been asked to do artwork on some of the signs.
The Language & Cultural Preservation Department will also be doing a Virtual PSA class on Friday, March 5 instructed by tribal member Marvin Trahant, a U of I graduate who has majored in broadcasting. He will teach the students how to put together a public service announcement having to do with wellness. The four-lesson series will focus on video, digital skills, videography basics and how to communicate a story as seen through their eyes. The workshop provides opportunity to hear from the young tribal community members.
The Language & Cultural Preservation Department is focused on making the grant sustainable.
Therefore, they are working with a collaborator group who works with them to think of ways to build upon making the grant sustainable, even after the grant is over. Any tribal member who would like to be a part of this group may contact the department for input, for the next meeting date and details to join on Zoom.
Ideas that have come from the collaborator group include establishing a Native plants nursery and activity boxes that can be checked out by local schools. The activity boxes include puppet animals that have different activities utilizing the Shoshone and Bannock language.
Additionally, they invite Shoshone and Bannock speakers, elders to share their knowledge if they would like to do so.
Hovia Edwards was also hired as the new Language & Cultural Preservation Department Events Coordinator. In their final year of funding they have a lot more things in the work and hope to bring on a few more temporary staff to help out.
