Sho-Ban Tribes represented at ISU Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration
Native American Student Services (NASS) members and ISU President Robert W. Wagner at the 7th Annual ISU Indigenous Peoples’ Day event October 13.
By JEREMY SHAY
Sho-Ban News
POCATELLO — The seventh annual Idaho State University Indigenous Peoples’ Day event was conducted on campus in Pocatello at the Pond Student Union Building on Monday, October 13.
ISU Native American Student Services (NASS) members and committee all assisted in planning this year’s event, which is open to all community and tribal members.
The morning began with a sunrise ceremony led by Fort Hall Business Council Vice Chairman Lee Juan Tendoy.
The morning events continued at the Pond Student Union Ballroom with a welcome address, tribal member emcee Tyson Shay greeted attendees, “Today we are celebrating tribal nations across the United States, each tribe has their own language, each tribe has their own history, each tribe has their own culture — but today we are celebrating you as well. Little did you know, you are on original Shoshone-Bannock land, so we want to say thank you and welcome to every single one of you as you take today, and we learn about various things about the culture of Shoshone-Bannock people.”
FHBC Vice Chairman Lee Juan Tendoy (right) offers the sunrise prayer on campus.
Fort Hall Veterans Association and the Fort Hall dance troupe brought in the American, Sho-Ban Tribes and POWMIA flags to post colors while Sage Point singers sang the flag song and honor song. Emcee Tyson Shay explained to the audience the meaning behind the dancers’ styles, including the meaning behind the songs.
FHBC treasurer Ladd Edmo gave a prayer for all in attendance. “Thank you for this honor to continue today’s prayers for a new tomorrow,” said Edmo.
Idaho State University President Robert W. Wagner gave an opening address.
“I’m honored to welcome all of you as we gather to celebrate and reflect on Indigenous Peoples’ Day here at Idaho State University,” said President Wagner. “I want to thank each of you, students, faculty staff, community members, and tribal leaders for coming together to learn and celebrate as a greater community. Since coming to ISU, I’ve learned about the importance of the traditional lands of the Shoshone and Bannock peoples. These lands hold a deep history, one of resilience, stewardship, and culture that has long proceeded the founding of our institution and continues today through the strength and leadership of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation. We honor the Shoshone-Bannock people, not only as the original stewards of this land, but as living nations whose contributions continue to shape our region and our university today.”
FHBC Treasurer Ladd Edmo speaks at the opening.
Miss Shoshone-Bannock Myke Moore also gave a welcome. “I feel good being here, I want to thank everyone for coming,” said Moore.
FHBC treasurer Ladd Edmo additionally gave a welcome address to thank the attendees. “We thank the ISU staff, and the facilities they have, and all of the progress we’ve made with ISU, the current president, and the past president — we’ve made big leaps and long strides to get where we’re at, to acknowledge a day like this — we’re very thankful for that,” said Edmo. He continued to detail the Tribe’s original reservation stretching further south of Pocatello, and the original treaty agreements made to ensure rights, and that eventually brought the Tribes to its current Fort Hall Reservation. “We’ve had to come to the table and make these kinds of agreements, and we appreciate this opportunity to come to this school, with our students getting a reduced tuition, which is very helpful in today’s world,” said Edmo. He thanked everyone for being in attendance.
Tribal member Veterans Nolan Thorpe (left) and Develynn Hall each post colors at the opening.
Keynote speaker for the event was D. Lynette St. Clair, M.S. NAL, her address was titled “Peace, Love, and Frybread: A Celebration of Strength and Resilience Through Generations.”
Local vendors and community members were invited to set up booths for artwork, beadwork, clothing, and more at the celebration.
A flint knapping and stone tool demonstration was offered by Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH) staff at the event.
Presentations for the morning included an Indian Relay history panel hosted by Alonzo “Punkin” Coby detailing Indian Relay racing, stone tool/flint knapping presentation hosted by Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH) staff, IMNH activities for all ages and a Native American display at Eli M. Obler Library.
Registered attendees received an Indigenous Peoples’ Day event T-Shirt and small breakfast food and drinks.
After a lunch break, afternoon presentations included traditional singing, Indigenous Peoples Day lightning round talks hosted Dr. Laticia Herkshan and featuring undergraduate and graduate presentations, and a “Indigenous Liberation and Healing: Confronting Our Historical Traumas through Education and Resilience” presentation by Willow Abrahamson.
Activities concluding the day’s events were Shoshone bingo, an art showcase and a raffle.
