POCATELLO, Idaho - A new book by Shoshone-Bannock author cleve Davis is challenging conventional understandings of tribal hunting rights and the legal battles fought to secure them, offering a detailed past account bolstered by previously unexamined court documents and tribal perspectives. Hunting Rights: The Shoshone-Bannock Story details decades of legal struggles and sheds light on the complex history surrounding off-reservation hunting,fishing,and trapping rights guaranteed by the 1868 Fort Bridger Treaty.
The book arrives at a critical juncture as tribal nations across the west continue to navigate evolving interpretations of treaty rights and grapple with state and federal regulations impacting their ability to practice traditional lifeways. DavisS work isn’t simply a recounting of past conflicts; it’s a vital resource for understanding ongoing negotiations, informing future legal challenges, and fostering a more accurate public understanding of Indigenous sovereignty and treaty obligations. The stakes are high, impacting not only the cultural practices of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes but also setting precedents for other tribes facing similar disputes.
Davis, a member of the shoshone-Bannock Tribes, spent years researching the history, meticulously combing through National Archives records, court transcripts, and tribal oral histories. He discovered discrepancies between official accounts and the lived experiences of tribal members, prompting him to present a more comprehensive narrative.The book details the initial post-treaty period where hunting was largely unrestricted, the subsequent encroachment by settlers and restrictive state laws, and the decades-long legal fight to reaffirm tribal rights.
A key focus of the book is the landmark 1984 United States v. Oregon case, which established the principle of shared fisheries management in the columbia River Basin. Davis demonstrates how the legal arguments and strategies employed in that case directly influenced the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes’ pursuit of their own hunting rights. He highlights the crucial role played by tribal leaders and attorneys in navigating the complex legal landscape.
The book’s cover features artwork by renowned Shoshone-Bannock artist Burdett Bird Osborne, visually connecting the historical narrative with contemporary tribal artistic expression. Hunting Rights: The Shoshone-Bannock Story is available now and aims to serve as an essential resource for legal scholars, policymakers, tribal members, and anyone interested in the history of indigenous rights in the American West.
