58th Shoshone Bannock Indian festival kicks off Thursday

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI) - A cultural celebration made its way through Fort Hall Thursday as the reservation kicked off its annual Shoshone Bannock Indian Festival.

Festival coordinator Spirit Wadsworth said 3,000 visitors from native tribe throughout Indian country have gathered to celebrate their different cultures and heritage.

He tells us some have traveled as far as Florida or Alaska to participate in this weekend's activities.

"The purpose behind our annual festival each year is to to show our culture to the outside communities as well as also bring in outside communities," Wadsworth said. "(But it's also to show) we are still here as individuals, as a tribal nation. We are still here."

This weekend's event will feature a traditional Pow Wow, Rodeo, vendors and competitions.

Wadsworth said the theme this year's celebration is "Honoring the Strength and Resilience of our Ancestors."

"Back then they would plan generations ahead," Wadsworth said. "Nowadays people don't really plan generations ahead. So we are doing more and more to secure our future with our young ones. Just like how our ancestors did."

With their youth in mind, the festivities started with the colorful children's parade which featured modern cartoon characters mixed with traditional Native American cultural clothing, allowing the children to celebrate their native roots.

"Native people have always still always been here on this land. We've never we never left. And with with being individuals, being a tribal nation, we are still strong. And we just like to make our presence known."

The Fort Hall Business Council is hosting this year’s Traditional Feast being held on Sunday, August 13 at 4:00 p.m. at the Veteran’s Awning located at the Festival Arbor.

The feast will feature salmon, buffalo stew, buffalo roast, watermelon, cake and side dishes prepared by local chefs at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel.

“We invite you all to share a meal with us before your journey takes you back home. All community members are invited and the feast is free to the public,” said Lee Juan Tyler, Chairman of the Tribes.

The festivities run till Sunday.