Teton wins WOI Lifetime Achievement Award
Women of Influence award winner Randy'L Teton
By DANA HERNANDEZ
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Post Register and Idaho State Journal hosted the 2021 Women of Influence East Idaho Awards ceremony at the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel and Casino on Wednesday, December 8, where two Shoshone-Bannock tribal women, Tressa Gonzalez and Randy’L Teton were present for their nominations.
The annual Women of Influence Award event nominates women across East Idaho and recognizes those who are influential within their industry, which is based on their experience, integrity, and leadership.
Tressa Gonzales was nominated for the Nonprofit, Women of Influence Award for her work as Chair of Fort Hall’s ROAR, Reservation Organized Animal Rescue and her love of animals. Gonzales did not take home the Nonprofit award, but was recognized for her efforts of securing rescue animals for the Fort Hall reservation and educating Fort Hall residents on proper animal care and assistance.
Randy’L Teton was nominated for the Government, Public Service and Military award and also did not take home the award, but was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award. Teton is the Public Affairs Manager for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and is responsible for all external media, public relations and cultural tourism in partnership with regional, tribal state and federal agencies for the Tribes. She serves on the Pocatello Rotary Military and Programming Committee, Idaho Humanities Council, and Southeast Idaho Council of Government.
Upon receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Teton said, “I am humbly honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement award and I dedicate this to all the young women out there, balancing work, family and maintaining a small business.”
Teton was notified a week before the night’s event that she was a nominee. “I didn’t win in my category. Although, I received the highest honor of the night, the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award. I was shocked and did not know I was considered for the award,” said Teton.
She added that Karole Honas, former KIFI News 8 anchor woman said Teton was recognized for her years of keeping everyone in the know when it comes to Fort Hall.
There were 13 categories and awards that were handed out. Award winners for the night were: Britt Raybould, Agriculture and Natural Resources; Karen Baker, Arts; Laura Smith, Banking and Finance; Arunima Datta, Education; Angie Lion, Entrepreneurship; Rebecca Casper, Government, Public Service and Military; Valerie Jewett, Healthcare; Kristi Baughman, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism; Barbara Sessions, Media and Communications; Shantay Bloxham, Nonprofit; Melissa Raschke, Real Estate, Construction and Land Development; Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar, Science and Technology; Randy’L Teton Lifetime Achievement.
