By YVETTE TUELL
Office of Public Affairs
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — On September 15, the Wyoming Legislature Select Committee on Tribal Relations held a virtual Fall meeting with Tribal leaders and agencies to discuss various tribal issues, including off-Reservation Treaty hunting. Chairman Devon Boyer of the Fort Hall Business Council, called into the Wyoming State Legislature Select Committee on Tribal Relations meeting to provide tribal comments regarding off-reservation treaty rights for hunting.
The Chair of the Select Committee Lloyd Larsen acknowledged the efforts of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes to engage in discussions with the State of Wyoming on how to proceed with tribal members hunting off reservation.
Richard King, Wildlife Chief, from Wyoming Game and Fish, reported Wyoming State hunting laws are still being enforced on Big Horn National Forest, and in order to maintain sound healthy wildlife populations in the state, it requires the State of Wyoming needs to regulate the hunting of wildlife. The ongoing Wyoming vs Herrera case litigation saga continues, as the Sheridan County Circuit Court recently upheld the State arguments that the Big Horn National Forest is considered “occupied” and that the State has the right to regulate tribal members due to conservation necessity to protect wildlife. King reported that Clayvin Herrera is appealing that decision.
Eastern Shoshone Business Councilman John St Clair said that it is their intent to work with the State and federal agencies, along with the Crows and the [Shoshone]-Bannock Tribe. He pointed out the conservation necessity, which exists when a species is in danger, and there are three tests to determine if it is appropriate. First, is it reasonable and necessary, second, it is the least restrictive effort to meet the goal, and lastly, does it discriminate against Native Americans. There are times when Tribal members go out and confrontations occur, so to avoid it, we must educate folks about treaty rights off reservation.
Eastern Shoshone Business Council member Gus Thayer reiterated that the Eastern Shoshone Tribe wishes to exercise their off-reservation hunting rights, because they have other needs that are applicable, not just hunting big game, such as gathering for plants, roots, rocks, and other ceremonial needs. Their desire is to harvest those subsistence resources in a responsible manner.
Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Devon Boyer offered a statement on the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes hunting regulations and relations with the State. “We view the context of Herrera v, Wyoming as an opportunity to enter into a new era of relations on the issue of big game management with the State of Wyoming. Rather than relying on confrontation in a legal setting, the Tribes and State could be harnessing the same energy to collaborate on mutually beneficial programs that protect, preserve and enhance treaty resources. I invite you to engage in further discussion to develop further legislation to address off reservation treaty hunting issues.”
Mike Garvey, Chair of the Eastern Shoshone Off-Reservation Hunting Committee also acknowledged the several joint meetings with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, who have already established good relations with the State of Idaho on their off-reservation hunting. In the future, the Off-Reservation Hunting Committee will be reaching out to them as well for further discussions.
Co-Chairman Larsen thanked both tribes for participating in this discussion. He appreciates how the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes approach the State of Wyoming in their efforts to work on off-Reservation treaty hunting. “It is important for the members of the committee, to realize that it has far reaching impacts, not just on Wyoming, but the sovereign nations that exist outside our state.”
The Fort Hall Business Council leaders has followed the state of Wyoming and Montana as they discuss tribal off reservation hunting in the past year, since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Wyoming vs Herrera. Tribal leadership has met with both Montana and Wyoming state legislators to educate them on our off-reservation hunting.