Ely Shoshone Tribe of Nevada

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The Ely Shoshone Tribe of Nevada is located on the Southwest & Southeast sides of the City of Ely, Nevada in three seperate locations in White Pine County, Nevada. They are a band of the Western Shoshone indians.

 Official Tribal Name: Ely Shoshone Tribe of Nevada

Address: Ely Shoshone Tribe, 16 Shoshone Circle, Ely, Nevada 89301
Phone: (702) 289-3013
Fax: (702) 289-3156
Email:

Official Website: 

Recognition Status: Federally Recognized

Traditional Name / Traditional Meaning: Newe, meaning “the people.”

Common Name / Meaning of Common Name:

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Region: Great Basin

State(s) Today: Nevada

Traditional Territory:

Confederacy: Western Shoshone

Treaties:

Reservations: Ely Reservation

The reservation is made up of three separate land areas. The first of these areas consists of 10 acres in “the Canyon” and was acquired through the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. Most of this land was too steep for homes, however, with only about two useable acres.

In 1973 the tribe leased 11 acres in “the Terrace” subdivision in Ely. It purchased this land outright in 1992. There are now homes, administrative offices, a gymnasium and a small park at this location. In 1977 the tribe received an additional 90 acres on the southern edge of Ely. Thirty-eight homes were built there in 1985 with five more added in 1996.

All three of the present Shoshone parcels are surrounded by development. So, to accommodate expected future population growth, the tribe  asked the Bureau of Land Management to transfer additional public lands near Ely into a trust account for the tribe. In December of 2006, the White Pine County Public Lands bill transferred 3526 acres to the Ely Shoshone for traditional, ceremonial, commercial and recreational purposes.

Land Area:  104.99 acres (0.4249 km²)
0.37 acres of Federal land
11 acres of trust lease – White Pine County
Tribal Headquarters:  Ely, Nevada
Time Zone:  

Population at Contact:

Registered Population Today: This tribe has about 500 enrolled members.

Tribal Enrollment Requirements:

Ely Shoshone Tribe of Nevada tribal enrollment requirements
Enrollment Committee meetings are held the first Monday of each month.
Alfreda Walker, Enrollment Clerk, Phone: 775-289-3013, Fax: 775-289-3833

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Government:

Charter: Organized under the Indian Reorganization Act of 18 June 1934 (48 Stat. 984) as amended. Constitution and By-Laws of the Ely Shoshone Tribe approved 08 April 1966
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B.I.A. Agency:

Eastern Nevada Agency
Elko, Nevada 89801
Phone:(702) 738-5165

Language Classification: Northern Uto-Aztecan -> Numic -> Central Numic -> Shoshone

Language Dialects:

Shoshone is a dialect chain with main regional varieties being Western, Gosiute, Northern,and Eastern.

Number of fluent Speakers:

The Ely Shoshone Tribe offers its members classes in the native language and instruction in traditional games and skills.  A language preservation program is taught twice a week

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Origins:

Bands, Gens, and Clans

Related Tribes:

Death Valley Timbisha Shoshone | Duckwater Shoshone | Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe | Ft. McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe | Winnemucca Colony | Yomba Shoshone Tribe | Reno/Sparks Indian Colony | Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians (comprised of the Battle Mountain Band, Elko Band, South Fork Band, and Wells Band)

Traditional Allies: Paiutes

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Ceremonies / Dances:

Modern Day Events & Tourism:

Ely Shoshone Tribe Annual Fandango – 4th weekend in July-call 775-289-3013 for exact dates or vender information.  Members gather to share stories, sing traditional songs, and participate in traditional dances and games.

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The tribe also operates a smoke shop and a textile business called Shoshone Cloth Industries. In 2003, the tribe constructed a new truck stop on Highway 93 coming into Ely. 

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The tribe offers higher education scholarships for four-year colleges and adult vocational training.

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