Idaho State University, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Hold Joint Event to Recognize their Partnership and Future Collaboration

“Today's ceremony is more than a symbolic gesture; it is an affirmation of our commitment to strengthening partnerships with Native Nations, ensuring that Indigenous voices, knowledge, and traditions are woven into the fabric of our university,” Wagner said. “We recognize that higher education is enriched by the wisdom, perspectives, and leadership of Indigenous scholars, students, and community members…Through collaboration with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes we continue to build meaningful initiatives that promote education and research to support all student success.” 

The agreement includes continued support for the Tribal/University Advisory Board, a committee composed of representatives from both the University and Tribes, along with students who are Shoshone-Bannock tribal members or descendants. The agreement also includes creating mutually agreeable protocols for Native American-related research and cultural preservation. Idaho State University recently initiated a tuition benefit for the members of Idaho’s five federally-recognized Native American tribes. This Program offers a reduced tuition rate to members of Idaho’s five federally-recognized Native American tribes, recognizing the unique sovereignty of their tribal nations.

Tendoy offered a prayer song and a flag song to commemorate the event.

“I’d like to thank everyone here today, in our homelands, with our beautiful mountains over there,” Tendoy said. “We always talk about seven generations, and as a council and as our people we always think about our future, and how we want to instill some innovative ideas and inspiration.” 

The land on which Idaho State University’s Pocatello campus sits is within the original Fort Hall reservation boundaries and is the traditional and ancestral home of the Shoshone and Bannock peoples.

“May this flag, flying proudly on this campus, serve as a lasting symbol of our shared commitment to learning, respect, and partnership. And may the Memorandum of Agreement lead to a deeper and more impactful relationship between the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and Idaho State University,” Wagner said.