Agai Deka descendants return to original homelands for spiritual walk/run
Tribal elder Darrell Shay (left) gives the morning prayer for the annual Agai Deka Gathering Spiritual Walk/Run at Tendoy Elementary School on August 15.
By YVONNE WARJACK
Sho-Ban News
SALMON — Generations came together in the Salmon and Lemhi Pass area August 14 and 15 for the 2026 Agai Deka Gathering — a two-day celebration filled with family, cultural traditions, remembrance and the annual Agai Deka Spiritual Walk/Run.
The gathering brought descendants, families, youth and community members back to an area connected to generations of Agai Deka history. Through camping, prayer, walking, running, sharing meals, Indian games and exhibition dancing, participants spent the weekend recognizing family ties while continuing traditions with younger generations.
Organized with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Language & Culture Preservation Department, the gathering began Friday, August 14, with camp day and setup at the Sacajawea Center in Salmon. Tents of different colors appeared across the grounds as families settled in for the weekend. A light dinner with Culture Committee members and Language & Culture Preservation Department staff followed at 5 p.m.
Saturday morning brought one of the weekend’s central events — the annual Agai Deka Spiritual Walk/Run, sponsored by the Shay family. Participants gathered at Tendoy Elementary School at 7 a.m. before beginning the approximately 12-mile journey toward Lemhi Pass. Prayer and blessings were offered for the walkers and runners, snacks and refreshments were provided before participants headed onto the route. From runners moving steadily along the road to walkers traveling together, participants made their way through the Lemhi Valley toward the pass. Families and people of different ages took part at their own pace, turning the miles between Tendoy and Lemhi Pass into a shared journey.
Tribal elder Darrell Shay (second from right) with son Jeremy Shay (right) and grandsons
Daylin Penrod (left) and Aiden St. Clair (second from left) before the walk/run.
Colorful fish-shaped mile markers guided participants along the route, marking their progress as they moved closer to the top of the pass. One by one and in groups, walkers and runners continued forward until reaching the final miles of the trek.
The gathering placed a special focus on the Shay family’s lineage, honoring the generations from one of the original Fort Bridger Treaty signers, chief Tay-to-ba, also identified as Tetoby, to one of his children — his daughter Pahweeta, and one of his grandchildren — his granddaughter Lilly Shay; tribal elder Darrell Shay is the grandson of Lilly. George Matsaw, partner to Pahweeta, and his descendants, were also among those recognized as the ancestors represented during the gathering.
Elevation sign displayed in stone at the top of Lemhi Pass at the end of the 12-miles.
Agai Deka Gathering shirts carried images and names of the ancestors along with the words, “Honoring Our Family’s Ancestors,” creating another connection between the family history being remembered and the descendants participating in the gathering today.
Participants J’shon Shaw (left) and Jackie Yokoyama complete the Agai Deka
Spiritual Walk/Run at Lemhi Pass.
At Lemhi Pass, participants completing the journey gathered for a sandwich lunch provided by the Shay family. The arrival at the pass marked the conclusion of the walk/run and brought participants together again after completing the miles from Tendoy.
Yamni Chandler completes the final few steps of the 12-mile walk/run at Lemhi Pass.
The first participants to make the 12-mile trek were tribal youth Devin Graves Pebeahsy, Isaac Benally and Demarcus Graves Pebeahsy; following the top three were local runner Lance from Salmon; Rebecca Harmon from Carey, local runners J’shon Shaw and Jackie Yokoyama; Mario Anderson, Yamni Chandler and Valentina Schrock, rounding out the first ten.
The first three runners to complete the walk, from left: Isaac Benally, Demarcus Graves Pebeahsy and Devin Graves Pebeahsy.
“On behalf of my father Darrell, the Shay family would like to thank everyone for joining in on the annual spiritual walk/run,” said Jeremy Shay. “We hope to see everyone next year at the annual Agai Deka Gathering.”
The celebration continued after the trek as families returned to the Sacajawea Center for an afternoon of activities. A feast was held at 3 p.m., followed by Indian games for all ages at 4 p.m. and exhibition dancing at 5 p.m.
Larissa Tavo and her son dance at the Agai Deka Gathering social powwow on
August 15.
From the tents going up Friday afternoon to the final cultural activities Saturday evening, the gathering created opportunities for generations to spend time together while recognizing the people and family histories connected to the Agai Deka.
Jeremy Shay contributed to this report.
