| |
There were
three major bands of Northwestern Shoshone at the time the first
Mormon pioneers began settling northern Utah. Chief Little Soldier
headed the misnamed "Weber Ute" group of about 400,
who occupied Weber Valley down to its entry into the Great Salt
Lake. Chief Pocatello commanded a similar number of Shoshone,
who ranged from Grouse Creek in northwestern Utah eastward along
the northern shore of the Great Salt Lake to Bear River. The third
division of about 450 people, under Chief Bear Hunter, resided
in Cache Valley and along the lower reaches of the Bear River.
Bear Hunter was regarded as the principal leader of the Northwestern
Shoshone, being designated by Mormon settlers as the war chief
who held equal status with Washakie when the Eastern and Northwestern
groups met.
What became the Northwestern Band of Shoshone were parts of those
groups who traveled largely on foot living off the land in a delicate
balance. The expression So-so-goi means “Those Who Travel
on Foot,” this expression was used to describe the band.
The Northwestern Shoshone traveled with the changing season. They
looked upon the earth not just as a place to live; they called
the earth their mother—she was the provider of all they
needed for their livelihood. The mountains, streams, and plains
stood forever, they said, and the seasons walked around annually.
The So-so-goi believed all things came from Mother Earth. |
|
