The Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation represent a unique blend of cultural heritage and resilience, encompassing members of the Goshute, Paiute, and Bannock tribes. This federally recognized tribe maintains strong connections to their ancestral lands and traditions, relying on the natural resources of the region for sustenance and cultural continuity. This article delves into the history, culture, and contemporary life of the Confederated Tribes, exploring their origins, governance, and enduring spirit.
Origins and Traditional Territory
The Goshute people, a band of the Western Shoshone, are the primary group within the Confederated Tribes. Historically, their territory spanned a vast expanse of the Great Basin, stretching from the Oquirrh Mountains in eastern Utah to the Steptoe Mountains in eastern Nevada. Their northern boundary reached the southern end of the Great Salt Lake, while their southern limit extended to an area roughly parallel with the southern end of Utah Lake.
This arid and challenging environment shaped the Goshute’s way of life. Renowned for having one of the simplest cultures in the Great Basin, they lived at a subsistence level, with limited resources to support a complex sociopolitical structure. Survival depended on intimate knowledge of the land and its resources.
The Bannock, a Northern Paiute tribe, also contribute to the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation. Their traditional lands encompassed southeastern Oregon, southeastern Idaho, western Wyoming, and southwestern Montana. Today, Bannock people are enrolled in both the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho and the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, reflecting the interconnectedness of these indigenous groups.
Additionally, members of various other Northern Paiute bands are enrolled within the Confederated Tribes, further enriching the cultural diversity of the community.
The Name and Its Meanings
The official tribal name is the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation. The term "Goshute" itself carries historical and cultural significance. The traditional name, Kutsipiuti (sometimes spelled Gutsipiuti), translates to "desert people," a fitting description of their adaptation to the harsh environment of the Great Basin.
The common name, Goshute, is believed to have originated either from a prominent leader named Goship or from the Shoshone term Gutsipiuti. Alternate names for the tribe include Shoshone-Goship, and the abbreviation CTGR is also used. Historical records may also contain alternate spellings or misspellings such as Gosuite or Gutsipupiutsi.
Location and Land Area
The Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation are located in western Utah and northeastern Nevada, firmly rooted in the Great Basin region. The reservation itself straddles the Utah-Nevada border, comprising approximately 112,870 acres in White Pine County, Nevada, and 177.42 square miles (459.517 km²) in Juab and Tooele Counties, Utah. The tribal headquarters are located in Ibapah, Utah, situated in the Mountain Time Zone. Notably, the Tooele County section of the reservation, located south of Ibapah, is geographically disconnected from the main portion of the reservation.
The location of the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation is a testament to the ancestral lands and the historical presence of the tribes in the area.
History and Treaties
The Goshute people have inhabited their traditional territory for at least 1,000 years. However, the arrival of European settlers brought significant changes and challenges to their way of life.
On October 12, 1863, a pivotal event occurred when Tabby, Autosome, Tints-pa-gin, and Harry-nap, designated chiefs of the Shoshone-Goship Tribe, signed a "Treaty of Peace and Friendship" at Tale (Tooele) Valley. This treaty, ratified by Congress and signed into law on January 17, 1865, by President Abraham Lincoln, marked a turning point in the relationship between the Goshute and the United States government.
The treaty stipulated that the Goshute would relinquish their nomadic lifestyle and reside on a reservation. The federal government and the Mormon Church subsequently established Indian farms near Ibapah, Utah. Although the treaty did not explicitly cede land or sovereignty, it required the Goshute to cease all hostile actions against white settlers and allow the passage of travel routes through their territory. Furthermore, the treaty permitted the construction of military posts, station houses, stage lines, telegraph lines, and railways within their domain. Mining, milling, ranching, and timber harvesting were also authorized.
In exchange for these concessions, the federal government agreed to pay the Goshute $1,000.00 annually for twenty years as compensation for the destruction of their game.
A permanent reservation was established south of Ibapah in 1914. The federal government constructed a log school, a log assembly hall, and log cabins. However, many Goshute people continued to reside in traditional dwellings for many years. In 1939, the reservation was expanded to include the Eight Mile, Goldsmith, and Gash Ranches. Later, the Will Cession homestead and Kelly Ranch were acquired.
Governance and Enrollment
The Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation operate under a constitution and by-laws approved on November 25, 1940. The governing body is the Goshute Business Council, comprised of five members. These council members elect a chairman from among themselves. Council members serve three-year terms.
Tribal enrollment is managed by an Enrollment Officer. As of 1993, the Confederated Goshute Tribe had 413 enrolled members. Enrollment requirements are specific to the tribe and are available through the Enrollment Officer.
Culture and Traditions
Despite the challenges of colonization and assimilation, the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation have maintained a strong connection to their culture and traditions. Their traditional way of life was deeply intertwined with the natural environment.
The Goshute were hunter-gatherers, relying on a diverse range of plants and animals for sustenance. Men primarily engaged in hunting large game such as pronghorn, deer, elk, and bighorn sheep, as well as smaller animals like lizards, snakes, birds, and rodents. Women and children gathered insects, seeds, roots, and medicinal plants. They harvested nearly 100 species of wild vegetables and seeds. A crucial food staple was the pine nut. Insects such as red ants, crickets, and grasshoppers were also a common part of their diet.
Traditional dwellings included wiki-ups, dug-out houses built of willow poles and earth, used primarily during winter camps.
Basketry and beadwork are important art forms practiced by members of the tribe.
The Annual Goshute Powwow, held the first weekend in August in Ibapah, is a significant event that celebrates traditional Goshute and Shoshone culture and dance.
Challenges and Contemporary Life
The Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation face ongoing challenges, including economic development, preservation of their language and culture, and protection of their natural resources.
The tribe is actively working to improve the quality of life for its members through various programs and initiatives. They are committed to preserving their cultural heritage and ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to learn and practice their traditions.
Related Tribes
The Confederated Tribes maintain connections with other tribes in the Great Basin region, including:
- Duck Valley Paiute
- Pyramid Lake Paiute
- Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe
- Fort Independence Paiute
- Ft. McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe
- Kaibab Band of Paiute
- Las Vegas Paiute Tribe
- Lovelock Paiute Tribe
- Moapa River Reservation
- Reno/Sparks Indian Colony
- Summit Lake Paiute Tribe
- Winnemucca Colony
- Walker River Paiute Tribe
- Yerington Paiute Tribe
- Ely Shoshone Tribe
- Duckwater Shoshone
- Yomba Shoshone Tribe
- Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians (comprising the Battle Mountain Band, Elko Band, South Fork Band, and Wells Band)
Conclusion
The Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation stand as a testament to the enduring strength and adaptability of indigenous peoples. Despite historical challenges and ongoing obstacles, they have maintained their cultural identity and continue to strive for self-determination and a brighter future for their members. Their story is one of resilience, cultural preservation, and a deep connection to the land.