Newe Sogobia - Western Shoshone Homeland Large Map
Historic Background
Recognition of Western Shoshone sovereign territory was formalized by the United States government when it signed and ratified the Ruby Valley (NV) Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1863. The treaty then become the 'supreme law of the land', overriding other concerns, according to the US Constitution.
The purpose of the treaty was to give the U.S. a right-of-way through Shoshone territory for railroads and stage lines. The federal government desperately needed California gold to pay for the Civil War. It also allowed mining and military activity on the scale understood in 1863. The Western Shoshone Nation, includes tens of millions of acres, most of Nevada, and portions of Idaho, Utah and Southern California. Click map or here for color map enlargement.
In 1979 the Indian Claims Commission declared the treaty void through
'gradual encroachment' and ordered a monetary settlement for the land. However, over 80%
is still not
occupied by non-Native people. No Shoshone have ever accepted the money,
and it continues to accrue interest in a trust.
On July 7, 2004, in spite of heavy opposition from the Western Shoshone Nation, the Western Shoshone Distribution Bill was signed into “law” by George W. Bush, President of the United States. The bill would authorize an alleged payoff at approximately 15 cents an acres. A majority of tribal councils, representing approximately 80% of the population, the Western Shoshone National Council and all of the traditional people strongly oppose the bill. They are supported by the National Congress of American Indians and Amnesty International. This formal opposition was apparently ignored, however, and an undocumented, unverified straw poll was used instead by the Bush Administration and Nevada legislators to justify the legislation. Read Carrie Dann's Statement.
The Western Shoshone National Council
The WSNC is a traditional governing structure implemented to represent the interests of all Western Shoshone. Although some Western Shoshone live within specific Reservations or Colonies near larger towns, which have Tribal Councils recognized by the federal government, the majority of the people do not. They did not have any form of representation prior to the WSNC.
The Western Shoshone
Defense Project (WSDP)
The Western Shoshone Defense Project is an organization formed by the WSNC to support the Dann band, in Crescent Valley, NV. In 1973, sisters Mary and Carrie Dann were charged with trespassing by federal officials, for grazing their livestock on traditional lands. It seems more than a coincidence that the government had designs to site MX missiles on a randomly roving train in their region at the time. The family has struggled to survive against the onslaught of court battles, military-style invasions, and livestock confiscations for nearly thirty years. They currently face over $5 million in grazing fines and confiscation of their extended family home.
Gold
Mining
In recent years, the Danns also battle new and expanded gold mines that drill core samples nearly to the front door. In addition to gobbling up whole mountains, gold mining pollutes and diverts massive quantities of water, and leaves behind leaking cyanide ponds. Modern techniques leave 20 tons of waste for every simple wedding band.
The sisters were awarded the Right Livelihood Award in 1993 in Sweden. In 2001, the Danns brought their case before the United Nations, with support from members of the European Parliament. The Human Rights Commission of the Organization of American States has also decided in their favor. They were joined by other Western Shoshone ranching groups, who are now threatened with livestock confiscation as well. The Western Shoshone point out that taking up ranching was part of the Ruby Valley Treaty agreement, and since the Treaty recognizes their sovereign territory, they should not pay federal grazing fees.
For more information contact the Western Shoshone Defense Project at 775-468-0230 or www.wsdp.org. See 2004 spring gathering.