Float Series highlights Native histories

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

By Jake Nichols

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-The valley’s history is inexorably tied to that of the Shoshone tribe, who greeted Jackson Hole’s early white explorers. The Shoshone reservation once covered 45 million acres, encompassing all of present-day Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and the valley called Jackson Hole. For this year’s Summer Float Series, Shoshone storyteller Willie LeClair will travel from the Wind River Reservation to give a presentation on this shared history, joined by local Ken Thomasma, author of “The Truth about Sacajawea.”

The series kicks off with the first of five floats called “Dance of the Waters” on Wednesday, July 2, featuring LeClair and Thomasma. The float series is being organized by the Snake River Fund as a way to more thoroughly explore the history and ecology of the Snake River, which is named, in part, due to a misunderstanding by early white explorers about the name of the Shoshone tribe.

While the “Dance of the Waters” trek will not be undertaken in the traditional buffalo-hide boats of the Shoshone, it will endeavor to give the public a better understanding of Shoshone history and culture. Following dinner and the presentations, participants will float 10 miles in approximately four hours, all within Grand Teton National Park with Grand Teton Lodge Co., Barker-Ewing Scenic Trips and Solitude Float Trips.

The 2008 Summer Float Series continues on July 18 with “Legends of the Snake,” featuring river-running pioneers Frank Ewing, Jack Dennis, Dave Hansen and Denny Becker. The trip includes drinks and dinner at the Barker-Ewing camp at Pine Creek.
On July 30, the Snake River Fund presents “Evening with the Eagles,” a float below Wilson in wooden boats with Game and Fish biologist Susan Patla and geologist Jason Rolfe. Drinks and a light dinner will be served at A.J. DeRosa’s tipi camp by the river.
The float series concludes with two kayaking trips below Jackson Lake Dam in Grand Teton National Park on August 15 and September 12. Biologists and naturalists will interpret the wildlife and ecology, while Rendezvous River Sports and O.A.R.S. will provide instruction.

The cost for each float is $100 for adults and $50 for children under 14. Reservations can be made by calling the Snake River Fund at 734-6773 or by e-mailing info@snakeriverfund.org.
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Float Series highlights Native histories | Planet JH News Article: General Music Arts and Culture

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