Indigenous knowledge shared at Jackson Hole Intertribal Gathering
LCPD Manager Louise Dixey speaks at the Jackson Hole Intertribal Gathering.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole Intertribal Gathering focused on sharing and amplifying Indigenous knowledge, wisdom and voices in federal land management of the southern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
That was the theme of the gathering October 4 and 5 in Jackson Hole to build critical relationships and share information between tribal nations, Indigenous-led interest groups, agency decision makers and managers, non-government entities and community representatives said Carlie Ideker, an organizer from the Wyoming Wilderness Association.
Eastern Shoshone Chairman John St. Clair and Chad Hudson, Bridger Teton National Forest supervisor, welcomed participants October 3. St. Clair viewed it as a follow-up to last year’s Yellowstone 150 acknowledgement when Wind River hosted an event on their rez. He said the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the last and largest impact natural ecosystems on the planet. The park was located at the convergence of the great plains, great basin and Columbia River plateaus. Over 50 tribes have a connection – there they exercise their inherent right to hunt, fish, gather roots that were used for food, healing and ceremonial purposes. As original stewards of this continent Native people always said a prayer when taking something and only taking what was actually needed at the time, never anymore and always sharing with others. “This is our culture,” he continued. He talked about the order Deb Haaland announced fulfilling treaty and trust obligations. He sees the gathering as a step toward carrying out the order. The anniversary of Yellowstone Park was an initial step in that direction. He said the next phase is to partner with the federal agency heads and tribes to implement co-stewardship. As original stewards of this continent our elders possessed unlimited insight to what it takes to manage the land, to preserve for the benefit of all. He said it’s time for federal agencies to develop co- management plans with the tribes who have historic connections around this country.
Carrying the Shoshone-Bannock and Eastern Shoshone flags, Gifferd Osborne and Wyman Weed.
Hudson said tribes are not stakeholders – they have treaty rights, inherent rights so need to have meaningful consultation and wants to do better. He wants to move from stakeholder to government-to-government.
Spring Creek Singers did the opening October 4 when they sang an honor, flag and victory song. Gifferd Osborne brought in the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes flag, Nolan Brown carried the Bannock flag and Wyman Weed carried the Eastern Shoshone flag. Festival Tzi Tzi Princess Humble Coby followed behind.
Spring Creek singers.
Afterward, Kendall Edmo, Blackfeet Nation Deputy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, did a virtual presentation on the Blackfeet cultural landscape including hunting practices. She is developing a Blackfeet Tribal Register and geodatabase of archaeological, cultural and historic sites. The data can be organized, edited and updated as needed.
Carolyn Boyer-Smith, Shoshone-Bannock HeTo Cultural Resources Coordinator did a PowerPoint presentation on the Tribes connection to Yellowstone including oral history from tribal elders. She noted consultation isn’t a standard process with every tribe, with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, the consultation letter is sent to the tribal chairman with a copy to her staff and whomever else needs to be on there.
John Murray, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Blackfeet Tribe addressed the tribal co-stewardship of Glacier National Park and the Badger Two Medicine area.
John Murray, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Blackfeet Tribe speaks.
After lunch, Angelo Baca, cultural activist, scholar and filmmaker, talked about his research on the Bears Ears National Monument. He explained the work done to protect the area including tribal and Indigenous community consultation that is meaningful and authentic engagement, interaction and participation in consulting with tribes directly to find out what their position and decisions are about issues concerning them. He explained how they developed a media orientation guide to correct common mistakes/issues such as incorrect spelling on tribes, names, clans, etc. It included terms not to use and also gave recommended terminology.
Louise Dixey, Shoshone-Bannock Language and Culture Preservation Department (LCPD) manager participated on a panel where participants talked about priority topics within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). Other panelists were: John Pingree and Jason Baldes of Eastern Shoshone, Aaron Brien, archaeologist, Crow Tribe and Tom Rodgers, a Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders consultant.
Dixey talked about the Tribes Cultural Connections to the GYE – the work they have been doing including participating in the 150 anniversary of Yellowstone in 2022. She recommended priority topics and issues including: Co-management with federal agencies; land transfers to the Tribes; eliminate mining claims – if allowed must post bonds and lease the land; create a process that allows federal land agencies to withdraw area from mining; interpretation on the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes history, along with continued contemporary uses and practices; gathering – access to plants, minerals, water pursuant to the Fort Bridger Treaty; access to cultural sites for monitoring and enforcement if vandalized or looting occurs.
Dixey explained in the 1990s, the Tribes entered into an MOU with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the National Elk Refuge that allows the Tribes to harvest buffalo during the annual ceremonial hunt. She explained the 1985 Game Code regulations for harvesting big game, fishing and trapping on and off the Fort Hall Rez to assure protection of the Fort Bridger Treaty outlined in Article IV. The Tribes history was explained and the importance of prayer. The Bannock and Shoshone homelands were told and the Fort Bridger Treaty of 1868. She showed a variety of photos advising the Tribes maintain and practice traditions and customs such as language, cultural arts, ceremonies, songs and dance.
The afternoon presentations ended with regional land and resource planning processes with Chad Hudson, Bridger Teton National Forest, Mel Bolling, Caribou Targhee National Forest supervisor, Chip Jenkins, Grand Teton National Park Superintendent, Frank Durbian, National Elk Refuge Project manager and G.L. “Buck” Damone III, Wyoming Bureau of Land Management tribal liaison. Hudson reiterated what he said at the October 3 opening about meaningful consultations with tribes. Bolling said he needs to do a better job of meeting with tribes, along with staff to staff meetings.
Eastern Shoshone Chairman John St. Clair welcomed the crowd.
Jenkins said Grand Teton is doing master planning on the Colter Bay area inviting tribes to participate. Public scoping is in the fall, environmental assessment review is spring/summer of 2024 and design development is planned 2024/205 winter spring. He explained the various programs Grand Teton does with tribes including youth being invited, the Native guest artist program and tribal community engagement that is a nine to 12 month fellowship in the park.
Durbian said the National Elk Refuge staff wants to tell the tribal historic story better as they’re building a new visitor center.
Wednesday evening Rematriate – a performance and lighting of tips was conducted at Phil Baux Park. Tipis glowed in the darkness.
The morning of October 5, Christine Bradbury, U.S. Forest Service Region 1 Tribal Relations program manager and Melissa Castianno, NPS Intermountain Region Native American Affairs liaison addressed national policy and collaboration tools. Afterward, Lara Jacobs, PhD talked about models of equitable co-stewardship and the importance of data sovereignty.
In the afternoon, Nolan Brown, Shoshone-Bannock LCPD Original Territories and Historical Research manager participated in a panel discussion on Tribal perspectives on agency actions, communications and engagements. Brown gave Shoshone-Bannock perspective explaining the program supports research projects concerning Shoshone-Bannock homelands. They coordinate interpretive exhibits, curricula and presentations for tribal members and the public. The program’s mission is to strengthen the Tribes connections to original territories among tribal citizens, all levels of government and the public while safeguarding the Tribes rights and interests.
He showed slides in a PowerPoint about Shoshonean treaties, tribal seasonal movement to acquire food sources and about removing derogatory names that the Tribes participated in with the Department of Interior. He explained a case study of Shoshone-Bannock history at the City of Rocks showing photos of pine nut gathering and the various signage the Tribes have done at the location. He explained the technical consultation and strengthening relationships.
Ideker said there would be follow-up after the conference but not sure if another Gathering will be conducted. She said what’s important is the conversations were a start. She said some participants shared it was a valued event and they hope to see it continued.
