The Historic and Continued Presence of Indigenous People in Yellowstone Park
By Emma Heller
In August, Yellowstone Revealed premiered in Gardiner, Montana and Yellowstone National Park to shine a light on the historic and continued presence of Indigenous people in Yellowstone Park and the surrounding area. The series of place-based projects was a collaboration effort with numerous Tribal Nations, Yellowstone National Park and Mountain Time Arts, a non-profit based out of Bozeman, Montana. Coinciding with the 150th Anniversary of the park, Tribal Nations that once relied on Yellowstone and its resources sought to educate about the Native American history that has been excluded in the past.
The All Nations Teepee Village by Shane Doyle
Photo by Dylan Hale Thornton of Hale Creative Consulting
I had the opportunity to sit down with Dylan Thornton to hear about his experience while volunteering at the All Nations Teepee Village at Madison Junction in Yellowstone. Dylan is a DEI (Diversity, Equality, Inclusion) consultant and founder of Hale Creative Consulting based in Bozeman, Montana. For many, including Dylan, Yellowstone Revealed was a momentous and unforgettable experience.
Dylan began by sharing the history of Native Americans in Yellowstone Park. Prior to 150 years ago, tribes gathered in the Yellowstone area which acted as a neutral setting for tribes that might otherwise engage in warfare. Research shows evidence that as many as 49 tribes migrated in and out of Yellowstone, 27 of which were prominent tribes that are recognized by the Park Service. Native Americans from these tribes traveled to Yellowstone because it was a sacred and spiritual place, had abundant animals to hunt and resources to gather and collect (like the highly valuable obsidian). Tribes as far as the West Coast and the Plains traveled to Yellowstone. As the railroad made its way West, like the bison, Native Americans were forced out of their home.
Many tribal members shared that Yellowstone Revealed was the first time they had ever been in Yellowstone Park. Because their ancestors were forced out of Yellowstone, they felt they didn’t belong, despite their rich history in the park. Now back in Yellowstone, they remembered that history and how powerful of a place it is.
The thirteen teepees at Madison Junction was the first time teepees have stood in Yellowstone in 150 years.
Photo by Dylan Hale Thornton of Hale Creative Consulting
Examples of arts, crafts and food displayed by tribes.
Photo by Dylan Hale Thornton of Hale Creative Consulting
The All Nations Teepee Village by Shane Doyle consisted of 13 teepees that signified a new era of Indigenous inclusion and representation in Yellowstone. This is the first-time teepees have stood in Yellowstone in the last 150 years. Tribes were able to come together to share their resources and cultural knowledge like they once were able to. The lodges and signs gave representation to the 27 recognized tribes and the 13th teepee gave space for tribal nations not yet recognized. Throughout the village, arts, crafts and food were displayed by tribes. 12 cultural ambassadors told stories of their people, many orally shared from generation to generation, never written down. Native historians had never heard many of these stories. Sacred ceremonies were practiced with one open to the public. REMATRIATE by Patti Baldes, emulates the symbolism between Native Americans and bison. Dylan said as the ceremony was taking place, one bull bison showed up and bedded down nearby. No bison had been there for the days prior.
Patti Baldes’ REMATRIATE performance
NPS / Ashton Hooker
Yellowstone Revealed is the beginning to a new healing relationship and an opportunity for Native Americans to be recognized as an integral part of the Park’s history and future. We need to be informed of a more accurate history and will have a chance to learn more in Summer 2023, as Mountain Time Arts will present Yellowstone Revealed in the Greater Yellowstone Region. Dylan pointed out that many of the issues we face today were set into motion a long time ago and now is the time to find a solution. He suggests that if you are interested in being part of this solution, learning accurate history is a great start. We have a list of links and resources to do so. At Yellowstone Scenic Tours, it is our promise to provide a more accurate history of Native Americans in Yellowstone Park.
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Yellowstone National Park
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