Idaho State University annual Indigenous Peoples Day sunrise ceremony participants, from left: Effie Hernandez, Nelson Fred Racehorse, Lee Juan Tyler Tendoy, Neil Thomas and Laticia Herkshan on October 14.
By BREE BAKER
Sho-Ban News
POCATELLO — On the morning of October 14, participants gathered in front of the Idaho Central Credit Union Bengal Alumni Center where Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Lee Juan Tyler Tendoy welcomed everyone to Idaho State University (ISU) Indigenous Peoples Day.
While waiting for the sun to rise he talked about his academic journey at ISU, while attending he wanted to become an educator. He later decided to return to work at FMC, but eventually come back to ISU and graduated in 2003. He noticed Dr. La Nada WarJack in the crowd and mentioned how he often saw her around campus. Soon after the sunrise ceremony prayers for all were said and two songs were sung, Nelson Racehorse and Neil Thomas assisted with the ceremony and singing.
Effie Hernandez, Native American Student Services Coordinator, thanked everyone for coming to take part in the sunrise ceremony and was happy to share a part of the culture. President Robert Wagner was in attendance and when asked to share a few words he gave thanks but shared he had nothing else to add because “nice words have already been said,” by all the speakers. At the end everyone smudged, shook hands, greeting each other with “good mornings” and smiles.
After the sunrise ceremony participants headed to the ballroom at the Earl R. Pond Student Union Building for the welcome and keynote address. Participants then registered, received meal tickets, entered the raffle, viewed the research projects displayed throughout the ballroom, browsed the different vendor tables, and helped themselves to the provided refreshments which included bagels, muffins, parfaits, and drinks.
Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Lee Juan Tyler Tendoy gives welcome address to attendees.
Jessica James, 477 Education program manager for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes thanked Chairman Tyler Tendoy and helpers, Nelson Racehorse and Neil Thomas for the sunrise ceremony, she acknowledged the planning committee for organizing the 2024 Indigenous Peoples Day event and introduced Amanda Zink, an English professor at ISU who gave the land acknowledgment. “The land where the ISU campus sits is within the original Fort Hall reservation boundaries and is the traditional and ancestral home of the Shoshone and Bannock peoples. We acknowledge Fort Hall Shoshone and Bannock peoples, their elders past and present, their future generations, and all Indigenous people. We offer gratitude for the land itself, and the original caretakers of it.” Acknowledging Native lands is an important way to honor and respect Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories and mentions it is ISU’s commitment and responsibility to teach accurate histories of regional Indigenous people and plan to collaborate on future educational discourse.
James introduced Chairman Tyler Tendoy, an ISU Alum Class of 2003, who greeted participants with a “Good Morning” in Bannock and then in Shoshone. He shared more about his time at ISU and helping with the club with events, the homecoming parade and powwow. He said they’ve had many sunrise ceremonies at ISU — even one on top of Red Hill. He told some of the history of the Shoshone and Bannock peoples, mentioning the old chiefs, the Fort Bridger Treaty, and how the Snake River is named after the Snake Indians (Shoshone and Bannock) and talked about the original land, which at one point was 1.8 million acres. He talked about the importance of water, he spoke of the Portneuf River which is called “where the trout come out” in the Shoshone language. He mentioned how it was once clean enough to drink out of, then shared hopes the water will be clean enough to drink again. Tyler Tendoy then sang a song about the water and wished everyone a good day.
Indigenous Peoples Day attendees at the ISU student union ballroom.
James then acknowledged Effie Hernandez, the Native American Student Services Coordinator, who thanked everyone for attending and supporting the students and faculty.
Hernandez said 250 pre-registered for the event but many more registered on-site. She heard nothing but good things about the day’s activities and is appreciative of the planning committee, volunteers and all those who attended.