LCPD hosts Wild Onion Gathering trip to Gifford Springs
Roycee Bache (left) and Samantha Reddye gathering wild onions at the LCPD gathering
trip on April 10.
By JOSEPH WADSWORTH
Sho-Ban News
RAFT RIVER — The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Language and Culture Preservation Department staff, along Waapi Kani Cedar House participants traveled to Gifford Springs in the Raft River Valley area to gather wild onions on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Mario Anderson speaks at the gathering.
Mario Anderson, Waapi Kani Cedar House Peer Support Specialist and Recovery Coach gave the prayer and LCPD Research Education Specialist Bailey Dann spoke about the Bodo (digging stick). “This is a tool of technology when we think of technology, we often think of things that we plug in or charge, but this is a piece of technology that our ancestors have used generation on generation.” She showed participants how to use the bodo and explained what it was made from. “One thing about our ancestors, they found that the best woods to use for which tools that we use, whether it be willows or pines, chokecherry or mountain mahogany, they understood the way wood grows.” Also, things that are used to make a digging stick is antlers.
A total of 13 participants gathered wild onions for personal use.
HeTO researcher Bailey Dann shows wild onions.
A participant expressed her thoughts about gathering and a return back to traditions, Anthenette Jim said this was her first time in the Raft River valley area to gather but that it was really good experience, “I enjoy it because being in sobriety it’s a new beginning for me since I never got to do this before and it’s nice to learn.”
Theresa Bache uses poto to dig for wild onions.
Next gathering for the Language and Culture Preservation Department is for bitterroot and wild onions Friday, April 17 in the Mackay area. Participants/staff will depart from the LCPD building at 8:30 a.m. and return by 5 p.m. participants must use own vehicles and LCPD will provide a sack lunch.
For more information contact LCPD at 208-236-1187 or 208-236-1185.
