Page "Shoshone National Forest" Paragraph 4

Shoshone National Forest is named after the Shoshone Indians, who, along with other Native American groups such as the Lakota, Crow and Northern Cheyenne, were the major tribes encountered by the first white explorers into the region.

Archeological evidence suggests that the presence of Indian tribes in the area extends back at least 8, 000 years.

The forest provided an abundance of game meat, wood products, and shelter during the winter months from the more exposed high plains to the east.

Portions of the more mountainous regions were frequented by the Shoshone and Sioux ( Lakota people | Lakota ) for spiritual healing and vision quests.

By 1840, Chief Washakie had become the leader of the easternmost branch of the Shoshone Indians.

In 1868 he negotiated with the U. S. Government for ) to be preserved as tribal lands, known today as the Wind River Indian Reservation.

Prior to the establishment of the reservation, the U. S. Cavalry constructed Fort Brown on the reservation lands, which was subsequently renamed Fort Washakie.

During the late 19th century, the fort was staffed by African-American members of the U. S. Cavalry, better known as the Buffalo Soldiers.

Chief Washakie is buried at the fort, which is located immediately east of the forest boundary.

Rumor has it that Sacajawea, the Shoshone Indian who provided invaluable assistance to Meriwether Lewis and William Clark during the Lewis and Clark Expedition, is also buried here, but it is now considered that this is unlikely and that her actual burial place is much farther east.