The Shoshone Nation was a small Native American tribe that settled in what is now Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, and California. The Bear River Massacre was a tragic event in Shoshone history, where more than 250 Shoshone were killed. Chief Washakie negotiated the 1868 Treaty of Fort Bridger, which established the Wind River Reservation. The Shoshone lost their leader, Chief Washakie, in 1900, and decided to be governed by an elected Joint Business Council.
The Shoshone Nation was a relatively small Native American tribe that once lived in what is now Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, and California. At the height of Shoshone history, the tribe’s population numbered approximately 8,000. The tribe primarily settled in what is now the Snake River region of Idaho. Throughout Shoshone history, the tribe tried to keep the peace when settlers arrived. Even though the tribe has maintained the end of peace treaties, the history of the Shoshone is filled with bloodshed and strife.
One of the worst events in Shoshone history was the Bear River Massacre, which occurred on January 29, 1863. Three years earlier, Mormon farmers had taken land from some Shoshone tribes along what is now the Utah-Idaho border. After some young Native Americans retaliated, Colonel Patrick Henry Connor rounded up 200 Army volunteers from a Salt Lake City camp.
Connor and his forces surrounded the Shoshone camp, and they soon ran out of ammunition. The Shoshone were no match for the military who killed more than 250 Shoshone, including women and children. The forces burned Shosone homes and also took their crops and horses. The Bear River event produced the most Native American casualties in one battle.
Chief Washakie, the last and most notable Shoshone leader, preserved his culture’s way of life by negotiating the 1868 Treaty of Fort Bridger. The treaty established the Wind River Reservation, which occupies more than 2.2 million acres ( approximately 8,903 square miles) in the Wind River Basin of Wyoming.
The Wind River Reservation is culturally significant, as it is the only reservation in America where displaced Native Americans could actually choose their permanent home. Under Chief Washakie, the Shoshone chose to live in the Wind River Valley, known for its mild winters and abundant wildlife. The reserve is one of the largest in the United States.
One of Chief Washakie’s last major acts was to cede a portion of land in the northeastern region to the United States government. The land, known as Hot Springs, has natural hot springs on the land. By selling the land, Chief Washakie negotiated that all people could visit the spring.
The Shoshone lost their leader in 1900 when Chief Washakie died of disease. His funeral included a funeral train that stretched for miles and the leader was buried with full military honors. After Chief Washakie died, the Shoshone decided against appointing a chief and chose to be governed by an elected Joint Business Council.
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