Gaining firsthand knowledge

WORLAND - Eastern Shoshone tribal member Scott Ratliff spoke to Worland seventh graders last Friday as part of the studies on indigenous peoples of Wyoming discussing misconceptions about Native Americans and differences between the tribes on the Wind River Reservation.

In addressing the misconceptions the public may have regarding Native Americans or American Indians, Ratliff said, "First of all, that we are uniquely different. Some of you are Catholic, some are Episcopal, some may be Mormon, some may not go to church at all and I don't care. It is just one little thing about you that makes you different and it is fine.

"One of the misconceptions is that we are angry, mean and mad. Most Natives have a great sense of humor, they love to laugh, they love their families. Many are not financially stable because many of the jobs aren't there now."

He said jobs can be found in school and in government.

"The notion that Natives are lazy or irresponsible, or one I hear way too much is that they are all drunks and that's just not true." He said there are some members but it is not true for the majority.

A student asked if Ratliff preferred to be called Native American or American Indian. Ratliff said, "I personally don't care so long as you are not making it as a derogatory statement. If you want to say 'Hey there was a really nice Indian at school today,' I'm fine with it." He said he refers to himself as a Native, or an Indian or a Shoshone. "I think you can tell the difference when someone is saying it derogatory or as just part of the conversation. For me it is what's inside your heart that bothers me more than what term you use."

He emphasized that this was his opinion and he was not speaking on behalf of the tribe.

He said when discussing the Washington Football Team, formerly the Redskins, changing their mascot, Ratliff said, "The term Redskin was used as a derogatory term and for some it carries that connotation."

He said he did not feel the football team was intending for it to be derogatory, but "if the Indian perceives it we need to be a little bit respectful of how it makes them feel as a person."

Regarding culture, he said people can have a lot of different cultures. "Anybody can have some Native culture. One thing that is apparent to me in the Native culture is the lack of putting people down that are different. They are very, very accepting of people's handicaps."

"We can all have cultures that we view as positives," he said.

Regarding family, Ratliff said he has one sister, 10 first cousins, 65 second cousins and the rest of the tribe. "In the Indian way ... you can take a relative. I can decide you and I are going to be cousins and I decide and you decide it, you would then be my cousin. I have every right to call you cousin, brother or uncle. It's my Native way to do that."

He said he has one sister born from the same two parents but he has a handful of people that he considers his brothers that are important to him as a brother.

RATLIFF

Ratliff, grew up on the Wind River Reservation, served in the armed forces in Vietnam where he lost the use of one arm.

He told the students that when he lost the use of the arm he spent a few years feeling sorry for himself until he met another veteran in an elevator who lost both of his legs. "It was a sobering moment and one I will always be grateful for. No matter how bad I thought I had it there was always someone who had it worse. I think it is important that we grow from the kinds of things that happen to us and try to become a better person through it."

He served in the State House of Representatives from 1981-1992.

THE RESERVATION

Ratliff discussed the history of the reservation, which started as the Shoshone Indian Reservation. He told the students a few unique things about the Wind River Reservation, home to two tribes, the Northern Arapahoe and the Eastern Shoshone. Having two tribes on the reservation is not unique but having two sovereign tribes is unique, as it is the only one in the nation.

He said other reservations with more than one tribe function as one government. On the Wind River Reservation there are two governments – the Shoshone Tribal Council and the Arapahoe Tribal Council.

"This creates problems that at times are almost insurmountable," Ratliff said, adding that there are issues that they constantly have to work through including funding from federal programs such as health care.

He noted that there about twice as many Arapahoe members as Shoshone.

Education has become very important to both tribes. He said when he went to St. Stephens parents seemed happy if their child finished the eighth grade.

"Today, I think it is safe to say that every parent has an expectation of their kid that they not only will graduate from high school but that they will go to college. I think that is really important for the success of this people is the fact to feel the importance of getting a higher education."

CEREMONIES

Ratliff spoke on a few of the ceremonies of "native people" that are different than when non-natives do them.

Fasting. When a tribal member goes on a fast they go out three days and three nights alone and pray for health or peace for the tribe. "They are sacrificing so that others might have a better way of life," he said.

The Sun Dance is "more like a fast" but the members come into a lodge. This year there were smaller numbers participating, in part due to COVID-19. The members dance for three days and three nights without food or drink. "They are praying for a purpose," he said.

The Sweat Lodge will seat between 12 to 24 people. A fire is built outside, and the door is almost always facing east. The fire has large stones in it and those going into the lodge bring about a fourth of the stones into the lodge. Generic prayers are offered up at this time.

The powwow is a social event similar to a county fair. It is a gathering with a lot of food and vendors. He said there are a lot of different dances that are performed during a powwow.

The main industry for the reservation is extraction of natural resources including oil, gas, used to be timber, coal and uranium. He said there is also agriculture – more ranching than farming.

The wealth of the reservation belongs to its members, if there is money that comes in from the minerals it is distributed to its members with 85% to the members and 15% to the tribal council.

When he spoke he wore a war bonnet stating, "I am a warrior. I am entitled to wear eagle feathers. This is one of my most prized possession," he said, noting that the headband and his vest that he wore had rose beaded work.

He said bead work with a red rose are traditionally Shoshone and geometric images are Arapahoe.

Another difference was teaching the students a greeting in Shoshone – "zont" and in Arapahoe "ethete" a positive greeting meaning something like 'good morning' or 'I'm glad to see you.'