A few weeks
ago, on January 29, I once again had the opportunity to attend ceremonies
commemorating the Massacre at Bear River. As always, it was a moving occasion.
Brenn
Hill opened the program with the song
“And the River Ran Red,” moving the audience to stunned, reverent silence.
Utah’s
Attorney General spoke. And, for the first time ever, officials from the State
of Idaho attended, with the governor, Brad Little, finally getting his state
involved in remembering the tragedy and honoring the Northwestern Band of the
Shoshone Nation.
Tribal
chairman Darren Parry also spoke, briefly outlining plans for the Band’s
ambitious improvements at the site, including restoration of the landscape and
construction of an interpretive center. The project has finally become
possible, 156 years after the massacre, owing to the efforts of Parry and other
tribal leaders to acquire significant acreage at the site. A campaign is now underway to
raise funds.
While I
don’t ask readers to do much, I hope you will find it in your heart to
contribute. Large or small, every donation will help the world recognize and
remember this overlooked chapter in the history of the West.
Please.
And thank
you.
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