Oral History
Videos of oral histories and interviews with elders are available in the GBC library. The links following the description of the elders will allow you to view a short clip on what they are about and represent.
Descriptions:
Florence Steele & Lee Moon
Florence Steele and Lee Moon tell the Goshute creation story about the coyote and the duck ladies. They also share the origin of the name, "Goshute." They explain how different parts of animals were used as tools, and which plants were used as food. Florence and Lee also describe some of the dances and ceremonies of their Ute neighbors as well.
Florence Steele & Lee Moon Clip
Vivian Cinnibar
Vivian Cinnibar is very knowledgeable about the role her family played in history of the Western Shoshoni. She explains the controversy that follows with signing of the Ruby Valley Treaty of 1863 with the United States Government, known as the treaty of Peace and Friendship. Vivian relates to how the church educated the Shoshoni at Duck Valley, the time she spent going to boarding school at Riverside, and how tuberculosis killed many of her siblings as a child.
Harold Miller & Beverly Brazzanovich
Harold Miller, from the Walker Indian Reservation, talks about very rich and old Indian tradition, people that have influenced his life, and the traditional life-styles of Indian men. Beverly talks about the age of becoming a woman, rituals that the Indian women would partake in, and some of the superstitions that follow their traditions. Harold knows a lot about the old ways, he encourages Indian youth to respect their elders, learn the language, and not to forget about the culture in which their heritage resides.
Harold Miller & Beverly Brazzanovich Clip
Dave McKinney
Dave McKinney, born 1907, shares some memories of his childhood while growing up in Gold Creek, Nevada. He describes several different jobs he held as a young man and the wages he received. These jobs include ranching, building part of Mountain City Highway for the Conservation Corps, and building the dam at Wildhorse in Northeastern Nevada. He tells about the most famous race between “Race Harney” on foot and his dad, “Bill McKinney,” on horseback during one of the Fourth of July celebrations in Owyhee. He also tells about the hand game played at gatherings, and sings one of his hand game songs.
Eleanor Little
Eleanor Little talks about her birth at Miller Creek, her family, and how they came to be at the Owyhee Reservation. She describes her stay at a tuberculosis sanitarium, and how her brother passed away from the sickness at the age of sixteen during her early childhood. She shares information about plants used for medicine and Indian beliefs concerning health. She asks that people respect Indians and explains why certain terms are especially offensive.
Ilaine Premo: Part I
Ilaine Premo, in detail, describes various memories and recollections during her childhood of growing up in Lee, and Battle Mountain. Her grandmother was a medicine woman who had knowledge of powerful stories and natural remedies for illnesses and wounds. Ilaine also shares some of her memories and knowledge of the surrounding area which is now known as the mine, Cortez. She explains the knowledge and stories that have been passed down to her from her grandmother. These include beliefs about death, the story about the “Big Bird,” and also, a story about “Water Babies.”
Ilaine Premo: Part II
In a second interview, Ilaine Premo, describes various parts of her ancestry, tells about her different family members, and some of her grandmother’s stories. Ilaine describes some of the Western Shoshoni lifestyles and how her band was moved from the Cortez mountain area to Duck Valley. She recalls what she remembers from her grandfather, Sam Johnson, and describes his ranch and what he accomplished for her band.
Raymond Yowell
Raymond Yowell, born in Elko, talks about Shoshoni lineage, various events and memories from being raised by his extended family, and also the Indian Medicine men throughout Nevada. He has vast knowledge of Native American hunting traditions, fishing, and seasonal foods. The knowledge of the Shoshoni religion has also been passed down to Raymond as he discusses the beliefs and practices of his people. His experience with Shoshoni customs date back to the 1850-1870's, which he shares that he obtained from the Shoshoni elders.
Hillman Tobey
Hillman Tobey, ninety-three years old, shares times about his youth, memories while living at the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation, the boarding school he attended, and his long life as a carpenter. He describes the school he attended which was very strict, and how his brother got him interested in his skill of pipe making. Hillman crafts, and shows off some of his most exotic and beautiful pipes that he has sold all around the world. He tells about the, "Red Willow," which is used as tobacco for prayer in the pipes.
Clara Woodson & Gracie Begay
Clara Woodson and Gracie Begay both Western Shoshoni, explain their early lives, what life was like when they were younger, and different parts of their family background. They both talk about different stories including the Coyote playing Hand Game, Shoshoni beliefs on death, and one of their elders Maggie, who had the power to turn into a wolf. Clara describes her frustrations with the government and tells how they never received proper compensation for what was taken from the Western Shoshoni.
Clara Woodson & Gracie Begay Clip
Marge Hall Puela
Marge Hall Puella, of the Western Shoshoni speaks about her parents and some of the customs that they passed on down to her. Marge also discusses the different schools that she attended and how segregation was a huge problem during that time. Marge brings with her recordings of her mother singing, and then explains exactly what she is singing and what it represents.
Delores Cummings
Delores Cummings discusses many of the traditional practices that her mother taught her in becoming a woman. Delores also explains the practices and procedures they do for the deceased, describes how her grandmother and the Sopes were her relatives, and the tradition of making cradle boards and how it still being taught by the new generation. Some advice that Delores offers for the new generation is to respect your elders and the people around you.
Andrea Woods
Andrea Woods speaks mostly about her grandmother, Gimma Jones. Gimma passed down extensive knowledge about Western Shoshoni life, sewing, and basic survival around the Northeastern Nevada area. These stories are about what Andrea's grandmother's life was like when she was young, what she did to live on different ranches, stories that date back from the mid 1800's, and all the talents that Gimma possessed.
Lyle Nutting & Eloy Thacker
Lyle Nutting and Eloy Thacker, classmates, who both grew up and went to the Owyhee school together talk about the challenges it faced in the beginning. Lyle’s dad was the first principal when the school first opened its doors in 1937 to the Shoshoni and Paiutes and Lyle discusses the early times and traditions of the school. Eloy relates to the times growing up in Owyhee, his memories of attending the school, and discusses what sports were like and the games they played. With the knowledge passed down from his father, Lyle also tells about the construction of the new schools and the reason behind the name of the school.
Ellison Jackson
Ellison Jackson, Shoshoni, explains about the early lifestyles in Owyhee, Nevada, how he did not know his English name, and gives a tutorial on the hand game. He describes how he worked on a ranch and grew up as a cowboy, explains some of his Shoshoni Indian culture and customs, and the legend about the wolf and the coyote. Ellison also sings a song with his drum and mentions how it tells a story about Mother Nature and animals.
Earl & Beverly Crum
Earl and Beverly Crum share several Shoshoni songs and tell where they originated from. They explain the use of songs at gatherings for the bear dance, and Beverly discusses how and why hand games are played. Earl sings a variety of songs while Beverly translates the songs into poetry, discusses the morals of the songs, and how it is told to their children. The Crums also tell what their early lives were like growing up in Nevada, what they did for food, and some of the traditions that the Shoshoni followed.
Evelyn Temoke- Roche
Evelyn Temoke-Roché, a native of the Western Shoshoni, discusses her customs, the origin of the Temoke name, and the details of her family history. Evelyn's grandfather, Muchach, and father, Frank, were both chiefs of the Te-moak, of which she shares their history, treaties they were involved in, and how they came to be. She also describes of the traditional plants and natural remedies that the Shoshoni used for herbal medicine. Evelyn gives details on what type of role and power the medicine men, and women, played in the Shoshoni society and culture.
Alvin & Lorraine Sims
Alvin and Lorraine Sims talk about their family, which was from Paradise Valley, relate to their early lives growing up, and discuss the numerous families that they knew. They relate to how Captain Sam, Western Shoshoni leader, helped choose Owyhee to be the Western Shoshoni Indian Reservation over Carlin Farms, which would have been where Carlin and Newmont Gold is located. Alvin and Lorraine both refer to various Indian doctors, Indian tea, and what they used as Indian medicine. The advice they offer to the young generation is to stay away from drugs and alcohol, listen to their elders, and work together as a team.
Nevada Penoli
Nevada Penoli, who has spent her entire life in Nevada, shares her stories on the gathering of pine nuts and how the tribes would go about obtaining them. She also tells about some of the living conditions her mother and grandmother endured during the late 1800’s.They both passed on stories to Nevada on the way of wagon life, traveling, and various other aspects during that time. She witnessed how deer hides were transformed into pants, shirts, gloves, and describes how every part of the animal was used and the purpose of its use.
Carrie Dann of the Indigenous Environment Network
Carrie Dann, of the Indigenous Environmental Network, speaks about her struggles and the struggles of the Western Shoshoni people regarding their land. She discusses the history of the land, and how the United States government lied to the Western Shoshoni people about how they stole their western lands. Carrie talks about gradual encroachment of the government, how it is not a written law, and describes how Western Shoshoni land has never been argued before any United States court system.
Raymond Yowell of the Indigenous Environmental Network
Raymond Yowell, a former chief, is speaking at the Indigenous Environmental Network held at South Fork Indian Reservation. This conference focuses on the protection of mother earth and why it is so important. Raymond goes into detail about the struggle of the Shoshoni people due to the United States government illegally taking of their lands. He tells about the corruption of the lawyers who represented the Shoshoni, the treaties that were not honored by the United States Government, the aboriginal Western Shoshoni territory, and about the history of the western territories and the Indians who occupied them.
History of the Ghost Dance
Harold Miller begins by talking about the spirits of his people, some of his memories while growing up, and how an elder influenced him to become the man he is today. Raymond, from the Walker Paiute Tribe, shares his knowledge on the history of the Ghost Dance, its meaning, and how important it is to his people. Harold also explains how Indians should stay with their religion, how it has become somewhat corrupt over the years, and how everyone should focus on equality and quit judging other human beings.
History of the Ghost Dance Clip
Temoak Annual Pow-Wow
In 2005 at the Elko Colony gym, dancers came from all over Nevada and parts of Idaho, Utah and California. Approximately two hundred and fifty attended the event.
Social Exhibition Pow-Wow
A social Pow-Wow, which was held open to the public, it consists of various dances, singing, and the drum groups of the Eagle Bear Clan, Painted Horse, Sweet Sage, and Buffalo Chaser. Lucillle Jones offers a prayer of blessing for all of the participants in the Pow-Wow, while the Eagle Bear Clan performs the Victory and Flag song before the festivities begin.
Social Exhibition Pow-Wow Clip
Shoshoni Indian Language Reunion
This event illustrates a parade that various Native American tribes participate in throughout Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and California. The opening ceremony consists of the march of tribal flags, while the music is provided by the Black Prume Drum Group. Each group walks behind their respected tribal flag, while the veterans from foreign wars walk in the front. At the end of the parade, all tribal members partake in a social dance otherwise known as the Round Dance with every tribal flag represented.
"We the People: Western Shoshone" episode 1
Shayne Del Cohen and Western Shoshoni women Carrie, Mary, Alyce, and Lois discuss the Ruby Valley Treaty and the actions of the government concerning Shoshoni people and their rights regarding their lands. They explain that in the Treaty of Ruby Valley, no land was ever ceded. They treaty is a living document which allows non-Indians to pass through Shoshoni lands and to establish ranches and mines along travel routes. The government is now trying to buy the land from the Shoshoni, but they do not wish to sell it. They talk about the impact that nuclear waste has on the earth and the need to protect their land."We the People: Western Shoshone" episode 2
Western Shoshoni women Carrie, Mary, Alyce, and Lois explain why money will never be sufficient compensation for the loss of their land. They are trying to protect and preserve their ancestral land for future generations, explaining that to take care of the land; people must take only what they need to survive. They believe that humans should never create things powerful enough to destroy the world. They fear that because nuclear waste will be stored in the lands of the Shoshoni, the lives of their people are in danger."We the People: Shoshone Protection of Mother Earth"
Shayne Del Cohen speaks with Larson Bill, Helen Dave, and Christopher Sewall about protecting the earth. They describe the Treaty of Ruby Valley and the disregard for it today. Helen and Larson tell us that the earth provides for us, and if we do not take care of it, one day the resources will be gone. Helen is deeply saddened by Shoshoni who would rather take monetary compensation offered by the government than carry on the fight of their ancestors for the ownership of their land. Larson worries that the earth will become so damaged it will not be able to repair itself."Welcome to Nevada Indian Country"
Presented by: Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada
Norm Cavanaugh discusses concerns and special issues of community members about health care. He explains the different needs of Native Americans living in rural Nevada and their changing views regarding health care and health care providers in recent years.
"Rabbit Boss"
Presented by: University of Nevada Reno Oral History Program
The annual rabbit hunts that take place in the fall are described by Rabbit Boss Marvin Dressler and others. The rabbits are an important supplement to the diets of Nevada Indians even today, and the skins were once used to make blankets. Today, the loss of hunting grounds and knowledge threaten the continuation of the traditonal rabbit hunts.
"We The People: Storytelling as Journalism"
Presented by: Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada
Shayne Del Cohen and Mark Trahant discuss the role of journalism in the coming years. Trahant suggests that there is wisdom in traditional Native American stories relevant to problems we all face today. He also asserts that it is a journalist's duty to represent every voice fairly, tell a captivating story, and give facts as well as the big picture regarding an issue.
"Tribal Archives"
Presented by: Office of Museum Programs of the Smithsonian Institution
This video explains archives, what their importance is, and how to archive. Archives may include art, photographs, documents, videos, and audio recordings. These records can show family relationships, cultural information, government policies, and more.
"Tah Gum: The Washoe Pine-nut Harvest"
Presented by: University of Nevada Reno Oral History Program
This video explains the importance of the pine-nut harvest in the past and today. It describes ceremonies associated with the harvest, tools used to collect and prepare pine-nuts, and some traditional foods prepared for the harvest season. The pine-nut harvest is essential to the continuation and preservation of cultural knowledge.