Shoshonean Numic Language Reunion begins
Shoshonean Reunion opening ceremony crowd.
By JEREMY SHAY
Sho-Ban News
FORT WASHAKIE, Wyo. — The 22nd Annual Shoshonean Numic Language Reunion began on Tuesday, June 21.
The first day of events started with a sunrise ceremony at the Fort Washakie Powwow Arbor — the Eastern Shoshone Tribe hosted the ceremony. Breakfast was served after sunrise at Rocky Mountain Hall.
The general session of the reunion was hosted at the Fort Washakie School gym where the posting of colors took place. Following was the opening prayer and a memorial given to those who have passed away over the past few years.
A presentation on the Virginia City Project with Jeanette Wolfley detailed the background of the unratified Virginia City Treaty between the Sheepeaters, Bannocks and Shoshone people.
Lunch was served after the opening presentations.
Hide smoking demonstration led by Sho-Ban tribal member Leo Arriwite.
The afternoon events began after lunch with breakout sessions and workshops including language presentations, shell dress making, moccasin demonstrations and storytelling.
Shoshone-Bannock tribal member Leo Arriwite hosted a hide smoking workshop to participants, demonstrating the process of smoking and preparing hides. He highlighted the importance of carrying on traditions to younger generations, and hide smoking is one of the traditions Native people can teach to youth.
Shoshonean Reunion participants played games in the evening.
After the workshops and tour concluded, games and contests were hosted at the powwow arbor with Darrell Shay emceeing. Games included spear throwing, shinny game, shoe kick and a teepee setup contest. Door prizes and gifts were handed out to participants.
The Ute Mountain Ute tribal members hosted a Bear Dance demonstration inviting everyone to dance.
Wednesday, June 22 morning session
The second day of the reunion started with a sunrise ceremony at the arbor.
George Hardin gave the introduction to the day’s events. Goshute Tribe Chairman Rupert Steele was the first speaker where he gave a history of the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation. Ute Mountain Tribe’s cultural and learning instructors spoke about the current projects they are working on.
Shoshone-Bannock tribal elder Velda Racehorse presents on original territories in the Yellowstone
area.
Shoshone-Bannock tribal elders Velda Racehorse and Fredrick Auck gave a presentation on “Sheepeaters, Bannocks and Shoshones in Yellowstone Abogirinal Territories.”
Velda Racehorse is the tribal archivist for the SBT Language and Cultural Preservation Department. Racehorse detailed the history of the Indigenous people from the Yellowstone area.
“I wanted to relay the history of when our people got removed from the Yellowsotne National Park, and when those that refused to move out, the U.S. Military got involved,” said Racehorse.
Fredrick Auck is currently assisting with oral histories in Yellowstone for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and he discussed the original Sheepeater, Bannock and Shoshone people originated from all throughout the northwest region.
The Shoshonean Reunion continues through Thursday, June 23.
