Join Nevada Humanities for a conversation with members of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation about the different conceptions of sovereignty and self-determination—sovereignty of food systems on the land; sovereignty of language and reviving, perpetuating, and celebrating Shoshone and Paiute languages; and strengthening the resilience of this community in one of the most remote parts of Nevada. The Duck Valley Reservation is located in northern Nevada and spans an area of over 450 square miles, straddling both Idaho and Nevada. This event is moderated by Antoinette Cavanaugh, who is chair of the Nevada Humanities Board of Trustees and an enrolled member of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. Owyhee: Reclaiming Land, Language and Community will features Reginald Premo, Tribal Extension Outreach Specialist at University of Nevada, Reno, and Laurie Caskey and Yolanda Manning, who each teach Shoshone and Paiute in Duck Valley schools respectively, as well as native youth, as we talk about the different conceptions of sovereignty and reclamation in Owyhee. The event starts with a traditional song. We welcome you to share your own stories about Owyhee.
This event is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities’ special initiative A More Perfect Union, fostering a deeper appreciation for the connections between the humanities, our community stories, and a commitment to understanding the founding of the country in all its complexities. Learn more and watch past events in our A More Perfect Union series here.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS
Laurie Caskey is a member of the Shoshone Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation located in southern Idaho and northern Nevada. She went to elementary school in Owyhee, Nevada, then graduated from Glenns Ferry High School in Idaho. Laurie is a native speaker of the Shoshoni language having been taught by her parents, the late Lucy and Joe Caskey. Shoshoni was her first language. Her interest include teaching and learning the Shoshoni Language and also preservation of the old dialect in today’s language studies. Laurie shares her language knowledge with all people of all ages of the Duck Valley community. Laurie was named Elder of the Year in 2006 by the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service for the Duck Valley Community, receiving recognition for her Shoshoni Language preservation work. Currently, she is teaching at the Owyhee Combined Schools under a language preservation grant. She also offers her language expertise to other Shoshone communities. She is the mother of four children, a grandmother, and a great grandmother. Laurie enjoys walking, meeting with other elders, and she does traditional crafts.
Antoinette Cavanaugh is the board chair of the Nevada Humanities Board of Trustees. She is an enrolled member of the Shoshone Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. She obtained her BA in English, Secondary Education from Boise State University, and she holds an MA in Educational Leadership and Higher Education from University of Nevada, Reno. Her passions lie in writing, beading, weaving, and being of service to others through building diversity awareness, inclusive practices, and equitable opportunities for all.
Yolanda Manning is a member of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. She is an educator with a BA in Elementary Education and Great Basin Indigenous Language Licensure and is a fluent speaker of the Northern Paiute language. Having been raised by her grandparents, Paiute was the dominant language in their home and is Yolanda’s first language. When she entered the Owyhee Combined School, English became the dominant language. Those who spoke the Native language did so with caution and in private. Throughout her life, she was always encouraged to speak her native language. Manning was told, “Eh NEME - NEME YADUANNA” Translation: “You are people, Paiute people! Speak your language!” With the passion of carrying this forward, Manning continued educating herself in the field of “Indigenous Language Teachings” and Linguistics at the University of Oregon Graduate and Master’s Program where she attended the Northwest Indigenous Studies. Her desire to continue language revitalization led her to various Great Basin regions where Northern Paiute was spoken. As a fluent Paiute language speaker, teacher presenter, and mentor, she continues to spread the importance of indigenous language preservation. Currently, Manning teaches Paiute to grades pre-K through grade 6.
Lynn Manning John (Shoshone-Paiute/Chippewa-Cree) is an enrolled member of the Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute Tribes. She is an educator currently serving as the Vice Principal of the Owyhee Combined School. Mrs. Manning John holds a BA in Education and Child Study from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, and an MEd in Educational Leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is the former chair of the Nevada Indian Commission’s Indian Education Advisory Committee and Nevada Department of Education’s Indian Education Task Force.
Tziavi Melendez is an enrolled member of the Reno Sparks Indian Colony and a descendant of the Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute Tribe. She is a senior at Owyhee High School where she serves as the Student Body President. Miss Melendez’s upbringing has included learning about traditional plant knowledge. She has worked in laboratories and conducted research proving the efficacy of Native plant medicines, for which she has won academic honors. She is also active in improving voter access for Native people across the state. Tziavi is currently working on her college applications where she hopes to continue her education in science and activism.
Reginald Premo is the Tribal Extension Outreach Specialist at University of Nevada, Reno. He is a member of the Tosawihi Band of Western Shoshone and a tribal member of the Shoshone-Paiute tribes of the Duck Valley reservation located on the border of Nevada and Idaho. Reginald has been employed with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Native Programs as the Community Outreach Specialist based on the Duck Valley Reservation in Owyhee since 2010. His responsibilities include coordinating and scheduling educational activities regarding nutrition, organizational development, natural resources, and agriculture for constituents. He also constructs hoop houses and provides education and outreach assistance for Nevada tribes and communities.