Language & Cultural Preservation hosts Culture Week events
Magic Smith, Stephan Kniffin and Jeremy Broncho tie together the base tipi poles with instructor Tony Shay during the presentation July 31.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Fort Hall Business Council member Lee Juan Tyler and Shoshone language teacher Tony Shay instructed local youth and adults how to set up a tipi July 31 near the softball field.
It was the third day of Culture Week Shoshone-Bannock Language and Culture program hosted. That afternoon, participants were able to taste sample of traditional foods including chokecherry pudding, buffalo roast, camas, milkweed pods and Bannock bread.
Youth watch the tipi demonstration.
Lee Juan said the tipi in Shoshone is “yungahni” or warm house. He said Tony showed a drawing on the way the four poles are used and measure it out. Concerning trees they have rings and at the bottom of the tipi pole one can see the rings – the rings show how old it is. “There’s significance in all of these things, we are connected to all this earth – we call it earth mother, some called it sacred grandmother ‘sogo bia’,” in Shoshone language.
Lee Juan said underneath the earth is geology “plate tectonics” (layers of the earth) as some of the older ones may know. He talked about Lava Hot Springs and the hot water, along with Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park - all a part of life. “We’re moving, going around the sun, all the planets of life, like our hearts – life is the same way.”
He also said the season’s keep going in a circle. “Long time ago Bannock warriors danced counter clockwise, they used to do that,” but now everyone dances clockwise.
Lee Juan said the tipi represents a woman and the poles represent the ribs – it brings life to us and that is why men should respect women, “never hit them.” He said the tipi is used for ceremonies and at home.
Instructors measure the tipi poles.
Tony had previously visited with summer youth workers explaining how to put the tipi up in a diagram noting that it’s important to line the edge of the tipi with the poles.
Jeremy Broncho, Stephan Kniffin and Magic Smith helped put the poles up and youth assisted in putting the stakes on the front of the tipi so it would hold together.
They were also shown how to move the poles to make the tipi smooth around the outside and stake it down.
Bobette Haskett instructs youth at the July 29 tule mat making class.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The first day of Culture Week for Fort Hall Recreation was Monday, July 29. The kids spent the morning gathering tules in the Bottoms area. The learned how to properly pick them and what to look for. The tules collected were used for tule mats, which will be placed on teepee poles.
The tules were divided into sizes lengthwise, short, medium and long, and trimmed. The kids then learned how to tie them together with twine.
Language & Culture Program’s Bobette Haskett, was the instructor for the project.
“They’re doing a great job. They’re learning lots,” she said.
Youth ties together a tule mat.
She feels it’s important for the children to learn because it was something done in the past and it needs to be brought back and taught to them.
She hopes they will carry on the teaching in the future.
Sonya Wadsworth gives youth a Shinney game demonstration.
FORT HALL — The second day of Shoshone-Bannock Language and Culture Program Culture Week featured Indian games on the HRDC lawn.
Following are the results:
Shoe Toss – (13 and under) 1st place Sheldon Wetzel, 2nd place Efren Reynoso, 3rd place Tristan Lopez. (14 and older) 1st place Ramyn Mendez, 2nd place Tay’a Osborne, 3rd place Kiahna Wetzel.
Tug-of-War – (9 to 17 year old) 1st place Tay’a Osborne, James Singer, Anneka Kaiyou, Kamryn Mendez, Aaliyah Reynoso, Evan Alvarez, Braden Brunette, Catherine Peyope. 2nd place Sheldon Wetzel, Efren Reynoso, Tristan Lopez, Karson Farmer, Mateo, Reid, Waven. (18 years and up) Ontaria Ariwite, Kendra Benally, Spirit Wadsworth. 2nd place Shayeena Fasthorse, Juanita Farmer, Vanessa Arviso.
Shinney Game – (7 to 12 years old) 1st place Destinee Whiteman, Brelynn Anderson, Rian Pokibro, Ka Trina Yokoyama, Kiahna Wetzel. 2nd place Alayla Ellsworth, Kyshee Yokoyama, Lala Preacher, Ebonee Whiteman, Brunette.
Indian Football – (7 to 12 years old) 1st place Shane, Rayanna, JJ Reese, Mariano, Neraeh, Ariyana Pahvitse, Emmitte, Neena Buckskin, Kayden Carmond, Aylee Shane, Gator Boyd. 2nd place Mateo Pahvitse, Kyshee Yokoyama, Drayden Johnson, Every Eagle, Alayla Ellsworth, Drayez, Jataya McArther, Ebonee Whiteman, Miguelito. (13 years on up) 1st place Beiynn, JJ Reese, Kheeko, Desttnee, Ka’Trina, Maries. 2nd place Kiahna Wetzel, Tristan Lopez, Akirah Pahvitse, Efren Reynoso, Ebonee Whiteman, Miguelito Fasthorse.
Spear Throw – (7 to 12 years old) 1st place Jaylissa Brunette, 2nd place Drayez Washakie, 3rd place Mateo Pahvitse. (13 to 17) Tristan Lopez, Efren Reynoso, Catherine Peyope. (18 on up) 1st place Spirit Wadsworth, 2nd place Nolan Brown, 3rd place Jennie Whitehorse.
