Shoshone-Bannock Tribes

SHOSHONE-BANNOCK TRIBES ANNOUNCES? NEW FACILITIES & GROUNDS DIRECTOR Fort Hall, Idaho – The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes is pleased to announce that Roland Marshall has been selected as the new Facilities and Grounds Director, effective July 1, 2024. “I am excited for this challenging new opportunity to serve my Tribe in this position,” said Marshall. “I have dedicated over twenty years working for the Tribes, and I believe that my experience, knowledge and leadership skills gained from my work and military background will be an asset to those that I will supervise and work with.” The Facilities and Grounds Director position is a new position within the Tribes with oversight over both the Facilities Department and Public Works Department and is under the direction of the Tribes’ Executive Director. Marshall is a Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Member and resides on the Fort Hall Reservation. Prior to his new position he was the Tribes’ Interim Utilities Director. He served on the Fort Hall Business Council as the Sergeant at Arms and Treasurer. Marshall worked within the Tribal Government in the Finance Department for nearly twenty years. Marshall is also a Veteran who served honorably in the United States Marine Corp. “We are looking forward to what Roland is able to accomplish in his new role with the Tribes.?His knowledge of the Tribes’ processes, finance background and leadership abilities will greatly contribute to the overall objectives of the departments he will oversee,” stated Tino Batt, Interim Executive Director. ###

Thank you Elese Teton for the amazing work you have done for the Tribes! Teton Announces Retirement as the Tribes’ Executive Director Fort Hall, Idaho – After twenty-six years of service to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Elese Teton announced her retirement as the Executive Director of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Her last day working for the Tribes is on Friday, June 14, 2024. “I am deeply grateful to the employees, directors and managers who I have had the opportunity to work with to achieve numerous successes for the Tribes. The position has been both challenging and rewarding and I am confident the Tribes will continue to prosper and accomplish notable success,” said Teton. Elese began her journey with the Tribes in 1998 as the Tribal Water Engineer where she established the Tribes Water Resources Department. She was later selected by the Fort Hall Business Council as the Tribes Executive Director in 2019. As the Executive Director some of her successes include efficiency streamlining, ensuring standard operating procedures were developed for departments, developing leadership trainings for directors and managers and implementing employee satisfaction surveys. She was instrumental in the reorganization of the Tribes. Employees have expressed deep appreciation and gratitude for Teton including her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to the organization. They praised her vision, integrity and dedication and her ability to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and respect. Other words used to describe Teton are hard work, perseverance and ethical conduct. “We truly are going to miss Elese, but we know that she is not going far and we are excited to see her future successes. She has been a huge asset to our organization for many years and her work has left a legacy for others to follow,” said Fort Hall Business Council Vice Chairwoman Donna Thompson. Tino Batt, Deputy Executive Director will serve as the Interim Executive Director effective June 14, 2024 until such time the position is advertised and selected. ###

Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Swear in New Leadership Fort Hall, Idaho – On Tuesday, June 11, 2024 the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes officially swore in and seated a new Fort Hall Business Council (FHBC) in the Tribal Business Center Council Chambers. The ceremony began with a prayer provided by Tribal elder, Doyle Punkin, and was followed by a flag/victory song by Tribal drum group, Spring Creek Singers of Fort Hall. Tribal Veterans Regi Thorpe and Frances Goli carried in the flags, and Tribal member Gifford Osborne carried in the Eagle Staff. The FHBC terms are staggered every two years. This year, three incumbents were up for re-election, Donna Thompson, Gaylen Edmo and Claudia Washakie. On May 31, 2024, Ronald Todd Appenay was the candidate with the highest votes followed by Donna Thompson and Devon Boyer. Lee Juan Tyler was voted in as the Chairman, Donna Thompson as the Vice-Chairwoman, Ladd Edmo as the Secretary, Sammy Matsaw Jr. as the Treasurer, Ronald Todd Appenay as the Sgt-At-Arms, and Nancy Eschief Murillo and Devon Boyer as Council members. District representatives are as follows: Devon Boyer and Nancy Eschief Murillo, Fort Hall District; Donna Thompson and Ladd Edmo, Gibson District; Ronald Todd Appenay, Ross Fork District; Sammy Matsaw Jr., Bannock Creek District; and Lee Juan Tyler, Lincoln Creek District. The FHBC is the governing body of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and consists of seven council members. The Council was established under the Tribes’ Constitution and Bylaws, which was approved by the Tribes and ratified by the federal government in 1937 under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.? ###

Colista Matsaw Selected as Chief Executive Officer of the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel Fort Hall, Idaho – The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes is pleased to announce the Fort Hall Business Council has selected Tribal member Colista Matsaw as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel. She officially began in her new role on May 23, 2024. According to Chairman Lee Juan Tyler, “Colista brings over twenty-five years of invaluable experience in the gaming and hospitality industry to her role as the CEO. She embodies a commitment to excellence, innovation and honoring our tribal heritage. We are pleased that we have a Tribal member that has succeeded in her educational efforts and exceeds the necessary experience to be successful for our Tribes.” Colista holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Casino Management and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. Her journey in the gaming industry began as a Keno Runner at Sandia Casino in New Mexico. After returning home to Fort Hall, Colista has held various positions with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Gaming Operations including in the Security and Cage Departments and eventually assumed roles as the Gaming Machine Director, Interim CEO and Executive Hotel Director. For the past three years, Colista has operated her own consulting business and served as a Statewide Business Advisor for the Idaho Women’s Business Center’s Idaho Connect Program. In addition, she was a Programs Coordinator with the Oweesta Corporation, a Native-owned non-profit organization dedicated to serving indigenous communities across the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. As the CEO, Colista is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of staff, guest services and providing leadership and strategic planning to all departments in support of the operation’s service culture. She will also be responsible for ensuring compliance to all Tribal and Federal laws, regulations and ordinances as they apply to the gaming industry. “I am humbled and honored to serve in the capacity as the CEO for our Tribes Gaming Operations. We have been in business for over thirty years, and I believe with the proper leadership we have the team members to get us to the next level of success that our Tribe is capable of. I am eager to step into this role and lead an amazing organization for the benefit of my Tribe, community members and Indian Country,” said Matsaw. ###

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes would like to thank the Idaho Humanities Council for hosting the 15th Annual Eastern Idaho Distinguished Humanities Lecture with Author David Grann. Also, thank you Sho-Ban News for your amazing photos and coverage of the event. We appreciate everyone that attended and visited the beautiful Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel! Thank you Chairman Lee Juan Tyler and Secretary Claudia Washakie for your welcoming words and to everyone involved in planning and executing the event including Idaho Humanities Council, and Authors David Grann, Mark Trahant and Randy’L Teton. It was a great event and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes were proud to be a part of it! Photos courtesy of Sho-Ban News. #sbtribes #publicaffairs #idahohumanitiescouncil #humanities #community +24