History of the Shoshone and Paiute People

Our Tribal membership is composed of descendents of the Shoshone (Newe) from Nevada and Idaho, and Northern Paiute (Numa) from Nevada, Southeastern Oregon and Idaho.  They were hunters and gatherers who lived in small bands of extended family members, surviving by constant travel over seasonal routes.

Although our ancestors came from a variety of areas, Duck Valley has always been part of our homeland.  Archaeological records attest to our use of these areas for over 15,000 years.  Our people had villages along the Snake, Bruneau, Owyhee, Boise, Payette, Salmon and Weiser Rivers and their major tributary steams in southwest Idaho.  Fishing, hunting, and gathering provided the basis for our ceremonial subsistence and economic livlihood.  Salmon was the single most important resource for our people.

The Duck Valley Indian Reservation, straddling the border of Idaho and Nevada, was established by executive order on April 16, 1877.  Captain Sam, a Shoshone leader, selected the site for this reservation because he felt that the plentiful wild game, salmon and berries, the abundant water, and the fertile valley soil held a promising future for our people.  Our people continued to depend of the land and water for sustenance and learned to work the land for economic prosperity through ranching and agriculture.  The reservation, after additional annexing of land in 1886 and 1910, now encompasses approximately 453 square miles, all of which is owned by the Tribes.

Our people perpetrate the tradition of art characterized by utility, beauty and vibrant color, including cradleboards, willow baskets, buckskin gloves, jewelry, and beadwork.  Beadwork reflects inter-Tribal symbols and images, including the rose and the eagle, as well as color choices and geometric designs unique to both the region and the artist; evidence of painstaking coordination of consistency in technique and color choices is manifest in every piece.  Our Trives also continue the tradition of fance and encourage visitors to experience our annual Fourth of July and Veteran's Day pow-wows.  Likewise, non-Tribal members are also invited to participate in our annual Fourth of July rodeo.