Attendees reflect on ROBVP event
From left, Brenda Rose, Alana Baldwin and Becky Archibald.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Shoshone-Bannock tribal member Becky Archibald said she attended the first Return of the Boise Valley People event with her brother Stan in 2010.
She returned in 2021 wearing the T shirts she and her brother received at the first event. “We are humbled and blessed to attend – family has been there at subsequent annuals as well,” she said. “I’m thankful this gathering honors that of our ancestors from long ago, along with other tribes and our shared history.”
Rudy Soto, Shoshone-Bannock, said he has a deep appreciation that goes to volunteer organizers of the Return of the Boise Valley People. “The gathering did a great deal to raise awareness with the general public about our people’s history and resiliency. For my family, it was special to spend time with fellow Boise Valley People descendants and it had a healing effect on us. We are already looking forward to next year,” he said.
Rosie Tom, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Paiute, a descendant of Weyawewa and Chief Paulina, said her experience at the Boise Valley was very good. “I just love coming down here every year, I learn things and just to gather with other people from other states — it’s’ just beautiful and my heart feels good for that.” She said for next year there’s a lot of things she intends to do such as fund raise and plan for cultural classes. “We have to keep up our cultural part of it – our traditions —so we can carry it on and sustain it. I really appreciate the opportunity to do that here.”
Warm Spring tribal participants from left, Shirley Allen, Marge Kalama Gabriel, Rosie Tom
and Delson Suppah, Sr.
For Marge Kalama Gabriel and Shirley Allen both from Warm Springs, Oregon, it was their first time in attendance at the ROBVP event.
Marge said she has Pit River Paiute lineage and is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. “I came to this country to see the Paiute people. I do fit in here — the history is going to be excellent for my well-being and I thank you for this beautiful gathering.” She was in attendance to take in the people more than anything, “The stories I heard about the Pit River people and their land and their country,” were informative. It was her first time being on this side of the Blue Mountains, she’d never seen this country before so to be with the people who live here made it interesting. She made it to the top of Eagle Rock noting walking to it was a really nice experience. “The people took care of each other, they respected each other and I liked the inter-tribal connections.”
Shirley Allen, also a Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Paiute, said she loved attending the gathering. “I really loved it, what I most enjoyed about it is hearing the fluent speakers and the songs of our people — that really touched me in a really good way. It’s encouraging me to go back and start learning more of our language,” she continued. “I’m coming back for sure.”
Fort Hall Business Council secretary Ladd Edmo said he enjoyed the events and activities. “It was a lot of fun. We all shared stories as well as visiting with friends new and old. Thank you Language and Culture Program.”
Rudy Soto
