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Eastern Shoshone Tribal Culture
Eastern
Page developed by Raphaella Stump
The Reverend John Roberts came to the reservation in 1883 and started an
Episcopal Sacajawea, the wife of Charbonneau, who helped guide the Lewis and Several buildings from the fort remain, including stone calvary barns, a block house dating 1869 and several other early structures. Chief Washakie died in 1900 and was given a military funeral and buried at the post cemetery near the fort. A government school and hospital functioned for many years east of Arapahoe was originally established as a sub-agency to distribute rations to the Arapahoes and at one time had a large trading post conducted by John Burnett. In 1906 a portion of the reservation was ceded to white settlement and Riverton evolved on some of this land. Lands were allotted in the 1800's to the various families and names
were anglicized. Irrigation was brought in to develop farming and
ranching and a flour mill constructed near The Eastern Shoshone have a rich culture to teach their children the history, language and values of their ancestors.
July 3, 1868 15 Stat., 673. Ratified Feb 26, 1869. Proclaimed Feb. 24, 1869. Articles of treaty made and conluded at Fort Bridger, Utah Territory, on the third day of July, In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, by and between the undersigned commissioners on the part of the United States, and the undersigned chiefs and head-men of and representing the Shoshone (eastern band) and Bannock Tribes of indians, they being duly authorized to act in the premises. The Treaty with the Eastern Shoshone and Bannock, 1868 was signed by: N.G. Taylor, Lieutenant-General
Attest: A.S.H. White, Secretary Shoshones:
Bannocks: Taggee Witnesses: Henry A. Morrow,
Lieutenant-Colonel Thirty-sixth infantry and Brevet Colonel U.S. Army,
commandin Fort Bridger Tribal Management Tribal elections are held every two years, Eastern Shoshone and
Northern Arapaho Business Council members serve two year terms. Each
Council names a Chairman. The Business Council works with the
Superintendent at the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Wind River Agency) to govern
affairs of the two tribes. In the process, each tribe has General
council where the people decide by majority vote on business. Tribal
Affairs are administered from the Tribal Complex Building in Fort Washakie,
Wyoming and the new building across the street which include the offices of
the Eastern Shoshone Business Council Members. Offices at the tribal
complex include Joint Tribal Fiscal Accounting and the staff. The
Arapaho Business Council are located at Management of fish, wildlife, and recreation on the Reservation is
controlled by the Joint Business Council through their Tribal Fish and Game
Department. Technical advice and assistance are provided by the Over 1, 109 miles of streams and some 265 lakes provide the fisherman
with multitude of fishing experiences. Predominant fish species caught
are brown, rainbow, brook, lake and cutthroat trout. Some of the
world's finest golden trout fishing can be experienced in the remote back
country. Complete information is available from the Tribal Game and
Fish Office at Tribal Fish and Game is located at the old BIA Office in During July and August, the two tribes hold Sundance ceremonies.
In June, at Historical Buildings Remain Today, (Click Map for more information regarding the Reservation)
Battles for Survival Crowheart
Butte An important battle was fought between the Shoshone and Bannock Indians
on one side, and Crow Indians on the other, in view of this large flattop
butte. Year after year, as game became scarce in other sections of the
Indian Country, especially along routes traveled by the white settlers, more
tribes depended on the With the growing strength of the Shoshone Tribe, other tribes would
generally combine forces before starting for the Word was sent to the friendly Bannocks who were camped on the banks of
the Popo Agie river, a few miles south, and Chief Tigee with a party of
Bannock fighting men soon joined the Shoshone in an attack on the Crow
camp. The tribes proved to be so evenly matched, that as the battle
continued into the fifth day it was apparent that neither side was able to
gain an advantage, while men were being lost. It was finally agreed
that Chief Washakie and Big Robber, the Crow Chief would have undisputed
claim to the Each tribe sent its Chief away with disguised emotions, cheering them on to victory and with shouts of encouragement, while realizing the stark truth that one would not return alive. The battle took place at a safe distance from either tribe in order to be certain that there would be no chance of interference. With their own lives and the future of their tribes depending upon the outcome of this contest, each Chief mounted on his favorite horse, carrying a pointed lance and a shield. Lined on both sides of the conflict, members of both the Shoshone and Crow tribes were silent and tense. Although excitement was at a high pitch each tribe looked on without interference, as they had agreed. As the battle raged back and forth, it soon became impossible to distinguish one fighter from the other in the distant haze of dust, and it was not until Washakie headed for his own camp that the outcome of the conflict became evident. In victory, Chief Washakie was so impressed with the bravery of the Crow Chief that instead of taking his scalp, he had but out the heart of his antagonist and displayed it at the end of his lance until after the dance of victory held by the Shoshone warriors that night. One of the Crow girls captured during the battle was reported to have become the wife of Chief Washakie. Trout Creek Battle 1872 The Sioux and Trapped in the valley, and realizing that this was to be a battle upon which would depend the survival of the tribe, the people crossed the Trout Creek to higher ground and set up their lodges in a giant circle in preparation for the attack. Washakie ordered trenches to be dug inside each teepee, around the lower edge, sufficiently deep so that only the heads and enough of the bodies of fighting men were above the ground to permit them to shoot between the ground and the bottom of the teepee. The enemy, coming over a nearby ridge at dawn, observed the apparently hopeless plight of this small village, and were filled with confidence that their long hoped-for time to wipe out the Shoshone tribe had come. Gathering their forces they circled for the kill. Unseen by the attacking forces the Shoshones fired under their lodges from their buried positions and but a few of them were hit, while the invaders lost many men. Several charges were made, each receiving the same reception.
When they were no longer heavily outnumbered, and noting the confusion in the
enemy ranks caused by their ever increasing losses, Shoshone warriors
attacked by horseback. After a fierce running battle, the three enemy
tribes were driven out of the Sacajawea
The Honarable James I. Patten who was appointed U.S. Agent of the
Shoshones in the seventies and for many years previously had known them and
spoke their language, was himself convinced that the claim of the old
Shoshone woman, Bazil's mother, was genuine. Mr. F.G. Burnette, U.S.
Government farmer, resident on the reservation for more than a quarter of a
century, was well acquainted with Sacajawea and spoke to her many times
concerning her connection with the Expedition. Richard Morse, for many
years a government employee at this Agency also knew Sacajawea
personally. These three reputable, worthy pioneer men as well as Dr.
Erwin the Agent, were convinced that the claim of Sacajawea, buried here, was
connected with the Lewis and During the latter years of her life here she was known to the whites and Indians as Bazil's mother. On my Parish Register of Burials, I recorded her burial under the date of April 9, 1884, as Bazil's mother, Shoshone, age one hundred years. Date of Death: April 9, resident of Shoshone Agency. Cause of death: old age. Place of burial: Burial grounds Shoshone Agency. Signature of Clergyman, John Roberts. She was also known to the Indians by other names according to the Shoshone custom, as Wad-ze-Wipe the Lost Woman, Booe-nive the Grass Maiden, and Bah-ribo the Water Whiteman. Dr. Eastman, Sioux-Indian, Physician and well known author and
lecturer, was specially commissioned by the Indian Office to investigate the
identity of Sacajawea. After thorough personal investigation, both here
and among the Commanches in (signed) Rev. John Roberts
For More Information Regarding
Sacajawea Language Samples BASIC COLORS
© Sam Silverhawk 1997-2000. All Rights Reserved
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