New signs unveil Eagle Rock Park and Chief Eagle Eye Reserve's new names in Boise June 14.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
BOISE — The Eagle Rock Park and Chief Eagle Eye Reserve Dedication was the highlight of the ninth annual Return of the Boise Valley People event and took place on Friday, June 14.
The Return of the Boise Valley People event is a yearly gathering of the original Boise Valley Tribes, including the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Burns Paiute and Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone. The event creates opportunity for tribes to gather, learn from one another, share stories, songs, and educate. It also recognizes the past history while committing to bettering relationships through education and understanding with the city of Boise.
Shoshone-Paiute Tribal Council member Brian Thomas emceed the dedication event. Shoshone-Bannock Sergeant At Arms Lee Juan Tyler gave a prayer. Eagle Rock Singers were on hand to offer a flag and honor song.
Idaho Governor Brad Little acknowledged the presence of the Native people coming to the land for centuries for ceremonial gatherings. “It has been and will always be a sacred place, and now its name will reflect its significance,” said Governor Little.
He spoke about the history in the area and said after Boise’s founding Native Americans and settlers clashed. In 1864 the United States government forced the Shoshone, Bannock and Paiute to give up their Boise Valley lands in the Treaty of Fort Boise, but the U.S. Senate never ratified the treaty and the federal government did not compensate the tribes for the land.
“It is fitting that this place should bear a name that recognizes Idaho’s first people,” he said.
Idaho Governor Brad Little speaks at the event marking the the first time a governor
attended the function.
“Idaho’s Native tribes are inextricably connected to the land. We thank them for their annual return to and care of this special place, and for reminding all of us that we must steward Idaho’s land for future generations. We are committed to sharing and respecting Idaho’s Native American heritage,” said Governor Little.
He continued to talk about how Eagle Rock touches the sky and is a visible landmark.
“A place that makes one’s heart sing. A place that is a symbol of Idaho, this special place we all call home,” he said.
Doug Halloway, Boise Parks Director, gave a welcome on behalf of the Parks Commission and the city of Boise he said it’s been a long time coming in honoring those tribal people that came to the area historically. He acknowledged that while past injustice cannot be changed they could use the present to honor it.
Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Ladd Edmo talked about how the Weiser Shoshone were forcibly removed to Fort Hall from the area. He talked about Chief Eagle Eye’s legacy as a leader for the people. He said the people are honored today with songs and blessings and the elders present have a tremendous amount of knowledge to share.
“We’re proud and honored to have this park renamed,” said Chairman Edmo. “And it’s a great honor for me to be here.”
Chairman Edmo was presented with a plaque to commemorate the Eagle Rock Park and Chief Eagle Eye Reserve Renaming ceremony. Other tribal officials present also received one. Shoshone-Bannock artist Burdette Bird Osborne drew the design on the plaques and the T-shirts.
FHBC Chairman Ladd Edmo accepts a plaque to commemorate the dedication.
Miss Shoshone-Bannock Jennie Whitehorse welcomed everyone to the renaming event and talked about how it was significant. She thanked those who made the event possible.
Shoshone-Bannock elder Lionel Boyer was asked to speak, he said there were a number of people present who are direct decedents of Chief Eagle Eye. He’s a direct descendent through his great-grandmother, who was the daughter of Eagle Eye. He talked about how back in those days the people were not tribes, but bands and were recognized by the areas they were at. Today the people are limited to where they are because of the claims commission.
“Don't let anyone tell you we had boundaries, as Indian people, because we didn’t. We migrated to where we survived,” he said, adding they roamed all over the continent and even into South America.
City of Boise Mayor David Bieter greeted the crowd in the Bannock language and they cheered. He thanked everyone who helped make the event happen and recognized all the tribal members in attendance.
Mayor Bieter said he was honored and felt so deeply gratified to rededicate the park and Castle Rock Reserve in honor of ancestors and the tribal people’s history in the land. He said there is no question this has been a long time in coming and will not be the final step in acknowledging the history of the areas indigenous people.
“It is the newest step in building meaningful collaboration that honors and recognizes your place in how you define as a community,” he said.
He explained, after the signing unveil Quarry View Park will now be known as Eagle Rock Park in recognition of the tribe’s historical name for the balancing rock above the park. Castle Rock will become Chief Eagle Eye Reserve in honor of the leader of a peaceful band of 70 Weiser Shoshone, who in 1878 refused to relocate to reservations and instead lived quietly in the Idaho mountains for two decades. Chief Eagle Eye died in 1896 and is buried at the top of Timber Butte overlooking his homeland.
Mayor Bieter said, “This is a late, but fitting tribute to his legacy. Ladies and gentleman it is our honor to honor you and that legacy.”
Council members from the tribes and the city gathered around to unveil the new signage to a round of applause.
Mayor Bieter was gifted with a Pendleton blanket from the Return of the Boise Valley People committee and city council members were also given gifts.
Boise City Council Member Holly Woodings was honored to be present for the event and also recognized those who preserved the area that is now Chief Eagle Eye Reserve and they will do so for generations to come. She is a resident of the area and said she’s happy her children will never call it by its colonial name and will always call it Eagle Rock.
Eagle Rock Singers sang a flag song. Eagle Rock is seen in the distance.
Lisa Sanchez, another Boise City Council member, talked about the importance of the foothills to her and how she hiked the area. She thanked the people who worked hard to protect the land and to return it to what it should be.
Shoshone Paiute Tribes Council Member Rudy Blossom said it’s unbelievable how understanding history and positive communication can make these types of things happen.
Shoshone Paiute Chairman Ted Howard talked about working to preserve the land and asked everyone to keep an eye out to help. He said it’s up to all of us to protect our environment and while things can’t be changed that already happen they can now work together to make things better for the future.
Howard said everyone is learning everyday and it’s good to come and listen and be a part of something. He talked about all the people who always fought for the area and are gone now. He said he was lucky to be around them and he carries on the words they said.
Brigadier General Timothy Donnellan spoke on behalf of the Idaho National Guard and how they were proud of their relationship with the tribes as they continue working together to address the concerns they have.
“Progress can only happen when we come together and talk and there is still much to learn from each other. Through education we can make the world a better place,” he said.
Donnellan said anytime two cultures come together it's easy to find the differences, but it’s the common values shared that bind them to one another.
“The warrior spirit that flows through this valley is alive and well in us all and one may need to look no further than our Native American veterans and see them standing alongside our current service men and women. We’re thankful for those veterans and we value your military service,” he said.
Honoring the ancestors is another common value they share and ceremonies like today reminds them they are accountable for their actions and that the decisions they make and the things they do have lasting effects on each other and the world we all live in. Donnellan said there is still much to do as they have more common values they share and only through the interactions with one another will they discover and use them as a springboard for future progress. He was presented with a Pendleton for his support as a gift of appreciation.
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Burns Paiute and Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone representatives were also given plaques and invited to speak.
Kenton Dick, Burns Paiute, talked about the perseverance of the people despite getting dispersed. He said he was proud to be in attendance and support what’s going on. He said persistence pays off and thanked all those who got things going.
Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Dale Barr thanked those involved and recognized the elders and the ancestors. He took a moment to honor them.
Wilson Wewa, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, talked about stories his grandma and the old people told him of the areas significance. He wished they were present today and he remembered their sacrifice. Wewa sang a golden eagle song to commemorate the event. He encouraged the youth to carry the stories on.