Boise Valley Tribes return home at 13th Annual ROBVP event
Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Lee Juan Tyler holds a proclamation for return of the original Boise Valley People’s Day at City Hall on June 13.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
BOISE — Oral history was told, tribal culture and foods were presented, along with friendships renewed at the Thirteenth Annual Return of the Boise Valley People event June 13 to 16 at Eagle Rock Park and Gowen Field.
Over 400 people registered to receive T shirts featuring a design by Shoshone-Paiute artist Kit Julianto and a reusable water bottle provided by the Burns Paiute tribe. The Idaho National Guard also provided items to give participants such as lanyards, water bottles and pullovers.
Opening
The event began June 13 with an evening opening at City Hall were Boise Mayor Lauren McLean welcomed the original Boise Valley tribes home including the Burns Paiute and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Paiute band, Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshone, Shoshone-Paiute and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
“As I have entered into my second term, it really is with a sense of renewal in the deeply held belief that we have here at the City of Boise that building deeper relationships, long-lasting relationships with each and every one of you is a priority,” McLean said. She thanked the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes for work on signage in their Climate Action Center where residents go to learn about the history of water, how resources are protected, and now “thanks to your help, when this reopens, they'll be able to learn about your history and the steps that you took to protect the resources that we hold dear.” She thanked the Shoshone Bannock Tribe again, but also the Shoshone Paiute people that worked with her team “to create wonderful interpretive signs along the Oregon Trail system as well.”
The mayor issued a proclamation declaring June 13 as the return of the original Boise Valley People’s Day in the city of Boise presenting framed copies to each of tribes.
Brigadier General Timothy Donnellan spoke on behalf of General Michael Garshak of the Idaho National Guard, “We're very excited to host once again the return of Boise Valley people. Many of you have traveled long distance to come here and it is very important to us, our relationship, so it's an honor to host this once again.” “I'd like to say a special thank you to all of our veterans, our Native American veterans especially. Thank you for being here this evening. We do know the culture of our Native American veterans is deeply tied into a Native American culture of protector, helper, and defender, and those are all cultural attributes that we value in the United States military, so your service is of great importance to us,” he continued.
Walking parade participants from Sho-Pai, including Delmar Kelly and Lindsey Manning.
Boise Valley tribal leaders Lee Juan Tyler and Ronald Todd Appenay, Shoshone-Bannock, Brian Thomas, Arnold Thomas and Lyndsey Manning of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes spoke each giving their perspective on the event and returning to Boise.
Day two
Shoshone-Paiute hosted the sunrise ceremony with Delmar Kelly and Brian Thomas leading the prayers at Eagle Rock Park.
Afterward attendees were surprised to see a spike elk wander out into the park- deer are often seen. The elk was feeding on tree leaves and wasn’t seen the rest of the weekend.
Afterward the respective tribes set up booths of information providing handouts of information throughout the day. Bailey Dann of the Shoshone-Bannock Language and Culture Original Territories historic researcher led children on a nature walk so they could identify plants and animals in the Bannock, Paiute and Shoshone language. Later in the day the children spoke the words in the language. Afterward, Nolan Brown, also of the LCPD Original Territories department talked about the signage he’s working on that will include all of the Boise Valley tribes to be placed in areas of Boise. He encouraged participants to contact him about their comment.
A barbecue followed featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and chips. Each tribe contributed food for the event.
Next up was the walking parade where participants danced in following their tribal flag. Some were also in the tribal clothing show where the respective tribes showed their traditional dress. Afterward some circle dance songs were sung and people round danced around the park.
Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshone and Burns Paiute hosted the meal at Gowen Field featuring traditional foods.
Sho-Ban elder Fred Auck and Chairman Tyler at the sunrise prayer on Saturday.
Day three
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes hosted the sunrise ceremony with Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Lee Juan Tyler leading prayers, along with Fred Auck, Devon Boyer and Dr. LaNada War Jack.
Auck gave oral history pointing to Eagle Rock explaining it’s where the eagles nested. He said Table Rock is a sacred spot, “that’s why they gathered here.” He said different tribes came – different medicine men and leaders went to the top – they set up there for one day and night. There used to be hot water pools where the old prison is, it was nice and that’s why there doctored there. The location was significant and a real blessing was given at the location.
Auck encouraged the young people to take their spot in life with their elders. “Learn your spot in life and gathering that way you represent them properly with a lot of dignity and respect.”
The walk/run to Eagle Rock and Table Rock included 74 participants. Cash prizes were given to the winners.
Events moved to Gowen Field where traditional foods were cooked including salmon over the fire that the Suppah family from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs prepared and the Shoshone-Paiute cooked groundhog (yaha or gedu) in a pit.
Boise Valley Tribes women in the walking parade.
Shoshone-Bannock Tribe hosted the lunch with buffalo meat loaf, the salmon and other items.
The Gowen Field sports complex dedication and Major General Garshak honoring followed (see related story).
The Indian games and auction to raise funds for the Original Boise Valley People, LLC followed.
Shoshone-Paiute Tribe hosted the evening meal including the groundhog.
The handdrum contest concluded the days events. Lethanial Nappo was first in the adults and Susan Avila Dixey was first in the youth category.
Day 4
A combined sunrise ceremony ended the ROBVP event where much oral history was shared from representatives of all tribes.
