The Goshute Reservation, Utah and Nevada, straddles the border between these two states, serving as the homeland for the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation. This sovereign nation is comprised of descendants from various Great Basin tribes, including Shoshone, Paiute, Ute, and, most prominently, the Goshute (or Gosiute) people themselves. The reservation represents a vital piece of land for a people whose history and culture are deeply intertwined with the arid landscapes of the American West.
Ancestry and Origins
The Goshute people maintain a strong oral tradition that places their origins in the desert region southwest of the Great Salt Lake, asserting their continuous presence in this area since time immemorial. This perspective contrasts somewhat with the scientific community’s understanding. Archaeological and linguistic evidence suggests that the Goshute, along with other Numic-speaking groups, migrated from the Death Valley region of California into the Great Basin around a thousand years ago. This migration would have been part of a larger pattern of movement and adaptation across the vast and challenging landscapes of the West.
The very name "Goshute" (sometimes spelled Gosuite) provides insight into the people’s connection to their environment. Derived from the native word Kutsipiuti (or Gutsipiuti), it translates to "desert people." This name is profoundly fitting, as the Goshute historically inhabited some of the most arid and unforgiving lands in North America. Their survival and cultural practices were expertly adapted to the harsh realities of the Great Basin desert, demonstrating a remarkable resilience and deep understanding of their surroundings.
A Desert Way of Life
The Goshute people exemplified the Great Basin desert way of life, thriving as highly efficient hunters and gatherers. Their existence was a testament to their intricate knowledge of the local flora and fauna and their ability to maintain a delicate balance with the environment. They understood the limitations of their arid homeland and developed sustainable practices that allowed them to meet their needs without depleting the scarce resources around them.
The Goshute possessed an impressive understanding of the plant life in their region, utilizing at least eighty-one different species of vegetables for sustenance and medicinal purposes. They were not only gatherers but also cultivators, actively harvesting and tending to seeds from many of these species, ensuring a continued supply of food. This careful management of resources highlights their intimate connection to the land and their commitment to its long-term health.
Socially, the Goshute primarily lived in extended family units, fostering strong bonds and mutual support. However, they also recognized the need for larger communal efforts, particularly when it came to hunting. Larger groups would come together to organize hunts, demonstrating a cooperative spirit and a collective understanding of the challenges of survival. While Goshute bands would typically choose a respected wise man to guide them, his political power was limited, reflecting a more egalitarian social structure where decisions were likely made through consensus and community input.
Establishment of the Reservation
The establishment of the Goshute Reservation, Utah and Nevada, was a gradual process marked by a series of executive orders and acts of Congress spanning several decades. The initial allocation of land was relatively small, with 160 acres designated by Executive Order #1539 on May 20, 1912. However, this was followed by a more substantial allocation of 33,688.01 acres on March 23, 1914, through Executive Order #1903, under the authority of the Indian Reorganization Act (48 Stat. 984).
Throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, additional parcels of land were added to the reservation through various means, including executive orders, acts of Congress, and land exchanges. These additions included:
- June 15, 1937 – 319.55 acres
- August 19, 1937 – 160 acres
- February 11, 1938 – 439.24 acres
- April 7, 1938 – 80 acres
- April 13, 1938 – Land acquired under the Authority of the Act of 30 June, 1934
- August 15, 1938 – 3,493.57 acres
- June 21, 1939 – 600 acres
- January 19, 1940 – 320, 240, & 80 acres
- February 9, 1940 – 2,240.99 acres
- November 24, 1941 – 240 acres
- January 9, 1943 – 635.91 acres acquired by Exchange Deed
This piecemeal process reflects the complex and often fraught history of land allocation to Native American tribes in the United States. While these allocations were intended to provide a land base for the Goshute people, they also reflect the historical pressures and policies that sought to confine and assimilate Native American populations.
Location and Geography
The Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Utah and Nevada, are strategically located along the Nevada-Utah border, encompassing portions of White Pine County, Nevada, and Tooele and Juab Counties, Utah. The reservation’s remote location underscores the historical isolation and the challenges faced by the Goshute people. Access to the reservation is typically via unimproved roads, requiring travel seventy-five miles south of Wendover, Utah, or fifty miles east of Schellbourne Station, U.S. Alternate 93. This isolation has both preserved aspects of traditional Goshute culture and presented obstacles to economic development and access to services.
Land and Population
The Goshute Reservation, Utah and Nevada, encompasses a significant amount of land, reflecting the importance of a sufficient land base for the tribe’s cultural and economic well-being. The breakdown of land ownership is as follows:
- 70,489 acres of Tribal Land – Nevada
- 38,363.70 acres of Tribal Land – Utah
- 80 acres of allotted land – Utah
- 80 acres Federally owned – Utah
The population of the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation has fluctuated significantly throughout history. While historical estimates suggest a population of as many as 20,000 in pre-contact times, the tribal population in 2010 was recorded at 409, with approximately 200 people residing on the reservation itself. This decline in population reflects the devastating impact of disease, displacement, and cultural disruption that Native American tribes have experienced throughout history.
Government and Sovereignty
The Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation operates under a constitution and bylaws approved on November 25, 1940, organized under the Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984), as amended. This act was a significant piece of legislation that aimed to reverse the assimilationist policies of the past and promote tribal self-government.
The tribe’s headquarters is located in Ibapah, Utah, and the governing body is a democratically elected five-member tribal council. This council is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the tribe, managing tribal resources, and representing the tribe’s interests in dealings with the federal government and other entities. The tribal government plays a crucial role in preserving Goshute culture, promoting economic development, and ensuring the well-being of its members.
Historically, the relationship between the Goshute people and the U.S. government has been complex and often fraught with conflict. In 1859, federal authorities established a government farm at Deep Creek to encourage agriculture among the Goshutes, but the project was abandoned the following year. Attacks on the Pony Express and Overland Stage, which traversed traditional Goshute territory, led to the 1863 treaty intended to ensure peaceful passage through Goshute lands. Although the Goshute did not cede territory in this treaty, federal officials pursued efforts to relocate them, attempting removals to the Uintah Basin, Idaho, Nevada, and Oklahoma between 1864 and 1912. When these efforts failed, the Goshute were eventually granted reservation land in their native Utah.
Economic Activities
The Goshute people have a long history of adapting to their environment and seeking economic opportunities. As early as the 1860s, they began to adopt farming practices, building upon their existing knowledge of plant life. During the reservation period, federal agents promoted agriculture as a means of "civilizing" the Goshutes, but the arid nature of their lands often made self-sufficient farming difficult.
Throughout the 20th century, the Goshute people have faced persistent challenges related to unemployment and poverty due to the lack of a strong economic base. In the latter half of the century, they sought outside development opportunities to improve their economic situation. A now-defunct steel fabrication plant opened at Deep Creek in 1969.
Currently, the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation manages an elk herd, generating revenue through the sale of hunting permits. In 1976, the Skull Valley Band of Goshutes, located on the nearby Skull Valley Reservation, constructed a rocket motor testing facility, which they lease to Hercules, Inc.
The Skull Valley Band also pursued the development of a storage facility for spent fuel rods from nuclear power plants, a controversial project that faced opposition from the governor of Utah, environmental groups, and the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation. The current local economy on the Goshute Reservation is primarily focused on agriculture, with some tribal members engaged in cattle ranching and hay cultivation.
Language and Culture
The Goshute language is part of the Numic language family within the broader Uto-Aztecan language family. The Goshute dialect, known as Monoish Genus or Western Numic, began to develop around 500 A.D., as small family groups migrated into eastern Nevada and western Utah. By 1,000 A.D., the Western Numic (Goshute) peoples had either displaced or absorbed the preexisting Fremont culture, becoming the dominant group in the region. The preservation of the Goshute language and cultural traditions remains a vital concern for the tribe.
B.I.A. Agency and Contact Information
The Eastern Nevada Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (B.I.A.) provides services to the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation. The agency is located in Elko, Nevada, and can be reached at (702) 738-5165.
For further information or inquiries, the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation can be contacted at:
P.O. Box 6104
Ibapah, Utah 84034
Telephone: (801) 234-1136
Jurisdiction
The Goshute Reservation, Utah and Nevada, falls under federal jurisdiction, reflecting the unique legal status of Native American tribes within the United States. This jurisdiction encompasses a range of issues, including law enforcement, environmental regulation, and the management of tribal resources. The Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation continue to work to exercise their sovereignty and protect their rights as a self-governing nation.