Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School Tribal Government & Civics class students attend a meeting with the Fort Hall Business Council on Monday, May 16.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School Tribal Government and Civics Class got a firsthand look at the inner workings of the Fort Hall Business Council (FHBC) on Monday, May 16.
Teacher Jessica Matsaw explained they had learned about the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Elections Act and what is required to run for the FHBC and be a tribal voter.
“Our class went to observe the tribal business council as they discussed issues of land leasing. I wanted students to observe how our tribal council serve the tribal membership. The council also shared what their roles and responsibilities are and any messages they may of had for our young people,” she said.
One by one the students introduced themselves to the council. Councilman Lee Juan Tyler told them it was important for them to know the roots of their family and where they come from.
Councilman Ladd Edmo told the students that as a business council they always talk about the future generations, which is them and then the future generations to come. He said they work on different ways to work on generating revenue for the tribal people.
The council were encouraging of their interest in learning about tribal government and told them they were the future leaders.
Students also had the opportunity to sit and visit with Gaylen Edmo, a candidate in the upcoming FHBC elections. He spoke to why it is important for young tribal members to go out into the world and return with the intent to help our tribe. How tribal government courses have assisted in his schooling and how he wishes he had classes like ours in high school.
They ended the tour with a presentation by the Tribal Election Board, who shared the work that they do being at the end of the election season. In return, students also shared with the election board what they have learned about the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Elections Act.