Kudos for Tony Tekaroniake Evans's public presentation at the Community Library

Verily, a dream project come true

Indian video 

I am impressed and find it refreshing to see this long and multi-faceted effort by Tony, Mike Healy and others, reach fruition in several areas. The detailed way in which these authors have passionately documented local Indigenous History and distilled it here with clarity so well is a crowning achievement and excellence at its best. Some cultures might even call it a gift of "Owl medicine." 

 

 

Some highlights I especially enjoyed are: Mohawk Social Dance; The Rabbit Dance 04:07

Brief explanation and etymology of Tony's Mohawk name Two Skies: 05:12

Interview quote from Pulitzer winner Elizabeth Fen: "Native History IS American History, there is no separation between the two." 06:43

In 1970, the likeable Georgian 3rd grade teacher, while studying "The First Thanksgiving teaching what she had been taught, telling Tony there were no more Indians, while studying "The First Thanksgiving." 08:09

Kids Love Indians!: 10:01

Major resolution of a 3rd Grade Indian- teaching oversight, with School District purchasing book copies.: 12:45

Tewa: 14:00

Mini Pow Wow in Sun Valley: 15:00

Friendship & Education Big Al Ross: Scottish Schoolteacher turned Fur Trapper discovers a arrow-wounded grouse just over Galena Summit. 17:35

A highly questionable "Doctrine of Discovery." Sheepeater Indians: https://history.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/0024.pdf "Archeologists missed a lot." -will elaborate later...

Indian maps and trails: 23:00

Spellbinding Redfish Overhang experience with guardians (near lake outflow): 24:02

Serious troubles on the Camas Prarie. Need to roast the very nutritious camas bulbs properly. Provisions here were promised. Promise broken. American Army had little tolerance, bloody conflict ensued. Cover of Owyhee Avalanche newspaper advertised $5 for child Indian scalp. 34:00

Hailey's Hop Porter Park was an Indian camp and trade center. 36:00

Powerful Buffalo hunting bows were crafted by Indians from Bighorn Sheep horns. 38:08


Some forbidding assimilation policies: 40:32


Even Medicine Men were jailed for practicing their sacred healing ceremonies: 42:00

Wagon Days Pow Wow with Fort Hall Ghost Drum Group playing and singing and Tee-Pee raising. 43:30

Some things archeologists missed: Elkhorn "tool making site" was actually a strategic lookout for hunting animals. That's why there's a 7,000 years layering of piles of chips. A small fine perfect arrowhead masterfully crafted, becomes a holy grail, valuable enough to become currency. : 44:22

More comprehensive signage honoring Indigenous History highlights, which have been much obscured until now, would complement Idaho's already popular and successful Statewide Roadside Historical Signage program. Remember: Kids love Indians! 45:25

Only seven thousand people (?) still speak the native Bannock language. Modern linguists have developed 'Rosetta Stone' tools to assist in easier learning of the now much obscure Bannock language. 48:38

Ketchum's Museum features a broad array of Indigenous artifacts: 49:00

Russ Fields an early 1900's Fairfield homesteader, would see Indians come through on horse-drawn wagons during Camas root harvest season. He finally made an effort to meet many of these Indians, who were abiding by their (broken, by being cheated) treaty, harvesting camas lily bulbs. 49:40 

 Story goes into more depth...

Tony broke the story of the new friendship between Lionel and Curly, the friendship which led to Camas Lily Days and much more, indeed much of what's here in this video.

A Cornell Hall of Fame Track Star, slowing down for a second for a nice snapshot. 56:40

Revising history more accurately in the Stanley Basin, e.g. perhaps explaining better or elaborating more of why "Roving Indians," reminded me of something that happened to us when Boise Professor Tom Trusky as part of his "Statewide Movie Signage Proposal" suggested a legend for a small tribute to Clint Eastwood's Pale Rider film. Tom, Brad N. and I came up with a suggestion for the legend, which included the words: "With a theme as timeless as the Boulder Mountains, a nameless preacher protects a poor prospecting town from a gang of ruffians, send by a greedy mining corporation to intrude on their claim." The State liked our proposal, but took out the wood 'greedy' and instead of posting a full tribute the film (remember the SNRA cell tower controversy) near the Boulders, posted a smaller mention on the Wood River Mines sign north of Bellevue. Anyone interested in this type of stuff would likely enjoy reading Dr. James W. Loewen's book "Lies Across America.' When reading this be sure to check out the chapter about Almo, Idaho, near City of the Rocks. Dr. Loewen rates the lies there about the made up Indian raid that never happened as second place in his eye-opening book of signage lies. -J.B.

Honor Indigenous people with a Camas Lily license plate.

Kudos to Tony Evans for his four-part broad ranging Express series on Native Americans, and their close connections to our valley. Not only should every Southern Idaho Historical Society consider permanently linking to the series, but also, as one local scholar observed; it could be upgraded into a pamphlet or small book and made mandatory or recommended reading as part of local school curriculums.

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Particularly interesting in Tony’s story are the parts about Native Americans powerful relationship with the Earth through the camas plant. It was refreshing to read about the annual Camas Lily Days Festival featuring “Indian dancing, arts and crafts and the traditional baking of camas bulbs in rock-lined fire pits covered with wet grass and earth.” As well as June’s energized Fairfield festival, something else nice that I would like to see is a tribute to the Native American / camas root connection through our Idaho DMV specialized license plate series. An artist rendering of the camas celebration, based on the popular Sacagawea dollar coin template would make a good fit.

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For years, I’ve been a proud displayer of Famous Idaho Potato plates on some of my rigs, but as camas roots are four times more nutritious than our average russet, I would be happier than a sunny camas bluebird to upgrade to such new customized plates.