10th Annual Return of the Boise Valley People event
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in the Walking Parade on Saturday, August 28 at the ROBVP event.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE &
LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
BOISE — The tenth Annual Return of the Boise Valley People event came to a close August 28 with a hand drum singing contest and an auction to raise funds for future events.
The event began with an opening at Boise City Hall August 26 where Lori Ann Edmo, a planning coordinator, talked about her ancestors who came from Boise Valley and knew it as their homeland, which is why the people come back to it.
She explained the event consists of all the tribes who were removed from the area back in the late 1860s when gold and silver were discovered. The Tribes were the Shoshone-Bannock, Shoshone Paiute, Burns Paiute, Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Paiute Band.
“The miners and the immigrants that came in, they forced our people out of here,” she said.
Her great, great grandfather Captain Jim was one of the leaders of the Boise Shoshone who had to get army papers to be able to leave and return to the area.
She talked about the Treaty of Boise, which was signed, but never ratified by Congress, therefore they still believe they own title to the land there. She said eventually they want to get back some of the land because it truly belongs to them. They have a committee made up of the different tribes who meet to discuss the yearly event, as well as plan for other projects, like signage and their ultimate goal of building a cultural center there.
Brian Thomas, chairman from the Shoshone Paiute Tribe, offered the prayer. He said the tribal people have been there since before statehood and it’s still their territory. There have been a lot of stories heard from the past, many of them bad, about what the military did to them, but they survived it.
“We are survivors of the Boise Valley, the Bruneau Valley, the Weiser Valley, clear into the Owyhee counties and Owyhee rivers and all of those areas,” he said, pointing to the foothills of the Sun Valley area and toward eastern Idaho.
Eagle Rock walkers from left, Sam Matsaw, Jessica Matsaw, Alex Alvarez and Siggie Broncho.
He said he was honored to say the blessing and would be doing so in his own language. He asked everyone to pray with him.
Singing the honor song was Blue Springs from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall.
Mayor Lauren McLean welcomed the descendants of the Boise Valley People to the event.
“Tonight’s celebration represents the commitment from the City of Boise to the valuing of the historical and contemporary importance of the tribes,” she said.
Furthermore they’ve worked to sustain an intergovernmental dialogue, public education and partnership that reflects mutual respect and a shared interest in making Boise an diverse and vibrant community.
She talked about the work they did in recognizing Eagle Rock Park and Chief Eagle Eye Reserve as sacred places, and in 2019 the city of Boise changed the names of the locations to reflect the history of the lands and its importance to the Native people. She talked about the city’s commitment to improve relations into the future.
The mayor issued a proclamation declaring that day “The Return of the Boise Valley People Day.” It reads the city of Boise is a diverse and vibrant community that values the humanity of all and would like to welcome the descendants of the original Boise Valley People to the City of Boise for their annual event and honor their deep connection to this place. The City of Boise commits to honoring the original Boise Valley People through partnerships with the Boise Valley descendants that will acknowledge and tell the tribes’ stories to encourage and expand public understanding of local history so that healing can take place.
She was followed by Major General Michael Garshak from the Idaho National Guard who thanked the city of Boise for hosting the event and welcomed the people on behalf of the State of Idaho Governor Brad Little. Speaking on behalf of the Idaho National Guard he said they’re honored and grateful to have a partnership with the Native American Tribes in Idaho.
“The reason we value this so much is because the Idaho National Guard and the Native American Tribes of Idaho truly have many shared values, one being, the spirit of the warrior,” he said. “Our Native Americans, throughout the country and certainly here in Idaho have a tremendous and distinguished record of service in our Armed Forces and that really goes throughout our nation’s history.”
Garshak thanked the veterans and the Native American community as a whole for their continued support and service to the armed forces.
He said another shared value is the preservation of the environment, which is truly an obligation they’re committed to so that the future generations can continue to enjoy the land.
Another value important to the tribes and the National Guard is the education and development of the youth, which is done through their Youth Challenge Program.
He’s hoping they can continue to develop their relationship as partners, neighbors and friends. Gowen Field is one of the sites the event occurs where the tribes gather for meals that include traditional foods and Indian games.
Fort Hall Business Council secretary Ladd Edmo thanked the National Guard for working with the Boise Valley tribes and bringing all the people together again in Boise. He talked about the history between the Army and tribes and how it evolved over the years from tragedy to a partnership. He also acknowledged the Guard for their assistance to the tribal community in helping with the COVID-19 pandemic. He thanked Mayor McLean and the City Council for the welcome.
Shoshone Paiute Tribe Chairman Brian Thomas thanked all those that helped make the event possible as well as those in attendance.
“We’ve lived, we’ve survived. From 1879 till today we are survivors, us Native people,” he said.
August 27
Friday morning began with a sunrise ceremony the Shoshone-Paiute hosted. Blue Springs drum group assisted with the singing and Shoshone-Paiute elder Wynona Charles gave the prayer. She said mother’s sister is buried in Boise. “We are one no matter what tribe – our people are buried in this area and that’s why I am here.” She said the taivos are moving in on us but the tribes have to stand their ground, “This is our sacred ground, have good thoughts,” she continued.
Charles encouraged young people to pay attention to the ceremonies, respect them and respect yourself noting it’s not a play thing. She added ask the old people about the history, “Things happening here, respect that, carry it on because in time you get to the age where you have to go back to the Creator.” “Try to speak your language because your born with it – get your language back.” She said her mother’s grandpa is from the Bruneau area and he’s buried at Glenn’s Ferry but she’s thankful to be back here. Wynona is also thankful for our drum – the heartbeat – the songs that come with it they’re prayer songs. “Have to take care of it too,” she said. She commenced her prayer in the Shoshone language, laying down the prayers and use cedar to bless ourselves.
Blue Spring Singers at the event.
Throughout the day people visited booths set up by the various tribes around Eagle Rock Park. A walking parade of all the tribes was conducted after a barbecue lunch then the Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshones did a presentation on Thacker Pass and the effects the proposed lithium mine would have on their sacred sites and natural resources.
Burns Paiute and Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshone tribes hosted the meal at Gowen Field that included deer meat, potatoes, frybread, Bannock Bread and chokecherry pudding to name a few of the items served.
August 28
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes hosted the Saturday sunrise ceremony with the Blue Springs Singers. Lionel Boyer assisted in conducting it with Lathaniel Nappo giving the prayer. Boyer lost his wife in December saying it hurts to think about it noting they traveled all over the country attending gatherings. He also said it hurts that many faces are not present now. He asked the singers to do a memorial song in memory of those who passed on and build it for the future. “Those of you that are here, work on it, keep it alive – as long as you keep it alive, we’ll be alive as a tribe,” he said. “As a people of this land we have to keep it up, all you youngsters, all you young adults keep it in mind, learn your traditions – as long as you have your traditions, you’ll be doing good for the future of your people.”
The walk/run commenced (results listed in sports) where many local tribal members participated. There was two routes – one that went up the trail to Eagle Rock and return while the other was up to Table rock then return.
Marge Kalama Gabriel, a first time attendee from Warm Springs walks from Eagle Rock dressed in her traditional regalia.
Activities moved to Gowen Field where the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes hosted lunch including groundhog. Indian games followed for children and adults. The highlight appeared to be the spear throwing, coed Indian football and shinny game for women.
The fund raising auction was conducted to raise funds for future ROBVP then the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes hosted dinner including moose, buffalo, salad, chokecherry pudding and Bannock bread while Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs cooks made lukameen (salmon and dumplings). The Northwest Wave organization provided five gallons of huckleberries for pudding.
The evening ended with a hand drum contest for adults and youth. In the adult category, Galen Kelly from Shoshone-Paiute won first and $150. Second was Lathaniel Nappo earning $100 and third was Hovia Edwards winning $50. In the youth category that Daliah Abel and family sponsored Burlee Broncho won first and $40 while Susan Avila Dixey was second taking home $20. There was 10 participants in the adult category.
Sunrise ceremony on Saturday, August 28.
