2024 Bannock Gathering set August 4 & 5
The Bannock Gathering “In honor of Bannock Warrior ‘The Horse’” artwork by Wandell Wenee.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The 2024 Bannock Gathering scheduled August 4 and 5 honors “The Horse” – the first Bannock Chief born in 1794 in Ochoco Territory.
He was a fierce Bannock warrior and by the time he was an adult in January 1814, Chief Horse led an attack on the Astorian fur post that John Reed commanded on the lower Boise River. According to historical records, The Horse made a name for himself as a skillful fighter. White encroachment motivated the retaliation because buffalo were disappearing from the Ochoco valleys in central Oregon.
The Horse had no fear in battle. He passed away while on a buffalo hunt in 1832 when he and some other families were attacked by a Blackfeet war party.
August 4 — the first day of the Bannock Gathering is the Bannock Warrior Challenge that begins on the Fort Hall Bottoms where participants start at Spring Creek and finish at the Shoshone-Bannock Festival arbor. A sunrise prayer begins the day at Tinno Bridge.
In the afternoon, Indian games and a hand drum contest is scheduled at the old HRDC lawn.
August 5 — the day begins with a welcome at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel at 9 a.m. A tribute to The Horse is at 9:30 a.m. At 10:30 a.m. is Yvette Towersap doing the keynote address on Bannocks in Montana. At 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. is the Bannock flag presentation with Zelphia Towersap and Dillin Diggie. At 1:15 p.m. Dr. Lanny Real Bird is doing a sign language presentation with Bannock language instructors.
Workshops are scheduled from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. including: Glove making with Daisy Dixey; language program for kids with Mardel Butler; card games with Daisy Hood and Marlene Duran; handling of peyote boxes with Anthony “Pete” Broncho; cedar preparation with Stephan Kniffin; and scarf tying with Gwyn Towersap.
The Bannock Gathering began in 2006. Organizers Louise E. Dixey and Velda Racehorse said the purpose is first and foremost to remind everyone that preserving the Bannock language, “is essential to our existence – the language helps us identify ourselves as Bannocks and as a people.” In addition to preserve our language, our teachings – denichuive in Bannock, our homeland and our history must be a part of each Gathering.
“We welcome all to attend – young and old alike.”
