Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada
Encyclopedia
The Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada is a federally recognized tribe of Western Shoshone
Indians in northeastern Nevada
.
. Western Shoshone elected a traditional council, led by Chief Muchach Temoak and his descendants, to create the new governments; however, the United States refused to recognize the traditional council and created the Te-Moaks Bands Council. Traditionalists did not feel adequately represented by this council and created the United Western Shoshone Legal Defense and Education Association, now known as the Sacred Lands Association in 1974. The traditionalists argued before the Indian Claims Commission
(ICC) that the Te-Moak Bands Council did not speak for them and the tribe never gave up their title to their traditional lands. Their claims and appeal were rejected in 1979, when the ICC ruled that the Western Shoshone lost title to their lands in the Treaty of Ruby Valley in 1863. In 1980 the courts ruled that the lands were not ceded in 1863 but were lost on 6 December 1979. Despite appeals by the tribe, the US Supreme Court rules in 1985 that $26 million was paid to the tribe in 1979 for 24 million acres (97,124.6 km²) of land. The tribe is still fighting to reclaim their traditional lands today.
The tribe's corporate charter was approved in 1938 and their current constitution was amended in 1982.
. The tribe is composed of four constituent bands. Their constitution allows for an unlimited of reservations and Indian colonies
to join the tribe.
. Traditionally, they are the Tonomudza band of Shoshone. Their separate parcels of land total 683.3 acres (2.8 km²). Current reservation population is 165 and total tribal enrollment is 516. Their current band council includes:
in 1941 The band owns 13049 acres (52.8 km²) of land. 75 members live on the reservation and their total band enrollment is 260. Their current band council is as follows:
. 39 members live on the reservation, and total band enrollment is 177. Their current band council is as follows:
Western Shoshone
Western Shoshone comprises several Shoshone tribes that are indigenous to the Great Basin and have lands identified in the Treaty of Ruby Valley 1863. They resided in Idaho, Nevada, California, and Utah. The tribes are very closely related culturally to the Paiute, Goshute, Bannock, Ute, and...
Indians in northeastern Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
.
History
The tribe organized under the 1934 Indian Reorganization ActIndian Reorganization Act
The Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934 the Indian New Deal, was U.S. federal legislation that secured certain rights to Native Americans, including Alaska Natives...
. Western Shoshone elected a traditional council, led by Chief Muchach Temoak and his descendants, to create the new governments; however, the United States refused to recognize the traditional council and created the Te-Moaks Bands Council. Traditionalists did not feel adequately represented by this council and created the United Western Shoshone Legal Defense and Education Association, now known as the Sacred Lands Association in 1974. The traditionalists argued before the Indian Claims Commission
Indian claims commission
The Indian Claims Commission was a judicial panel for relations between the United States Federal Government and Native American tribes. It was established in 1946 by the United States Congress to hear claims of Indian tribes against the United States...
(ICC) that the Te-Moak Bands Council did not speak for them and the tribe never gave up their title to their traditional lands. Their claims and appeal were rejected in 1979, when the ICC ruled that the Western Shoshone lost title to their lands in the Treaty of Ruby Valley in 1863. In 1980 the courts ruled that the lands were not ceded in 1863 but were lost on 6 December 1979. Despite appeals by the tribe, the US Supreme Court rules in 1985 that $26 million was paid to the tribe in 1979 for 24 million acres (97,124.6 km²) of land. The tribe is still fighting to reclaim their traditional lands today.
The tribe's corporate charter was approved in 1938 and their current constitution was amended in 1982.
Today
The Te-Moak Tribe Council is headquartered in Elko, NevadaElko, Nevada
Elko is a city in Elko County, Nevada, United States. The population was 18,297 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Elko County. The city straddles the Humboldt River....
. The tribe is composed of four constituent bands. Their constitution allows for an unlimited of reservations and Indian colonies
Indian colony
An Indian Colony is a Native American settlement associated with an urban area. Although some of them become official Indian reservations, they differ from most reservations in that they are located where Native Americans could find employment in mainstream American economy...
to join the tribe.
Battle Mountain Band
This band governs the Battle Mountain reservation, at 40°39′51"N 116°58′11"W, in Battle Mountain, NevadaBattle Mountain, Nevada
Battle Mountain is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Lander County, Nevada, United States. The population was 2,871 at the 2000 census. Though it has no legal status as a municipality, it still functions as the county seat of Lander County...
. Traditionally, they are the Tonomudza band of Shoshone. Their separate parcels of land total 683.3 acres (2.8 km²). Current reservation population is 165 and total tribal enrollment is 516. Their current band council includes:
- Michael Price, Chairman
- Lorrie Carpenter
- Delbert Holley
- Gregory Holley
- Stanford Knight
- Florine Maine.
Elko Band
The Elko Indian Colony, at 40°51′02"N 115°45′55"W, was established in 1918. They govern 192.8 acre (0.780234608 km²) of federal trust lands. Tribal enrollment is 1,143. Only 6% of the band graduated from high school and their average per capita annual income is $7,000. They are headquartered in Elko, Nevada and their current band council is as follows:- Gerald Temoke, Chairman
- Davis Gonzales, Vice Chairman
- Leta Jim
- Lindsey Oppenhein
- Evelyn Roche-Temoke
- Suzanna R. Sandoval
- Vernon Thompson.
South Fork Band
The South Fork and Odgers Ranch Indian Colony, at 40°34′22"N 115°36′08"W, was established in Lee, NevadaLee, Nevada
Lee is an unincorporated community ghost town in Elko County, Nevada, United States. The population of Lee is about 50.The community is part of the Elko Micropolitan Statistical Area. Lee is located at the western foothills of the extensive Ruby Mountains range....
in 1941 The band owns 13049 acres (52.8 km²) of land. 75 members live on the reservation and their total band enrollment is 260. Their current band council is as follows:
- Cheryl Mose-Temoke, Chairman
- Larson Bill, Vice Chairman
- Vincent Garcia
- Charles Malotte
- Gilbert Temoke
- Casey Tom
- Edna Tybo.
Wells Band
The Wells Indian Colony, at 41°07′01"N 114°58′44"W, was established in 1980 and is 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) large. Their headquarters is in Wells, NevadaWells, Nevada
Wells is a city in Elko County, in northeast Nevada in the western United States. The population was 1,346 at the 2000 census. Wells is located at the junction of U.S. Route 93 and Interstate 80, approximately east of Elko and is part of the Elko Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:The site...
. 39 members live on the reservation, and total band enrollment is 177. Their current band council is as follows:
- Julie A. Stevens, Chairperson
- Kristi Begay, Vice-Chair
- Steven Brady
- Karen Franco
- Harvey Healey.
External links
- Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone, official website
- Te-Moak Tribe News Blog