ELY SHOSHONE TRIBE

As a Self-Governance tribe, Ely Shoshone Tribe is a sovereign nation. We retain inherent authority to govern and protect the health, safety, and welfare of Tribal citizens within Tribal lands and territories. This authority established a unique legal and political relationship with the Federal government.

Ely Shoshone governs its Tribe by their Tribal Constitution with an effective body of five Tribal Council members known as the Ely Shoshone Tribal Council. Terms of Office are for three years staggered.

The Ely Shoshone Tribal Council governs their Tribe with the focus of exercising their traditional and historical inherent sovereign powers. Tribal council meeting are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

There is evidence recorded at Hercules Gap, located seven miles north of Ely, this was a gathering place for Indians for centuries.  Evidence was unearthed proving Indian Sun Dances took place in the area. This was recorded in the Ely Record on July 2, 1937.

The Western Shoshone people have inhabited Eastern Nevada since prehistoric times.  Several Newe villages ( Duck Creek, McGill, Warm Springs, Schellbourne, Egan Canyon and Cherry Creek) were located in Steptoe Valley. Ely was the largest village in the valley.

Throughout the valley; rabbit and antelope drives, along with deer hunts were held on a regular basis. Once the Copper Company moved into the area, the Newe people were forced to move due to homes being built on the land they occupied.

There is evidence and stories still told today that Shoshones traveled north and south through the Ward Mountain range.

Today there is still evidence of the wickiups. Wickiups were built from standing trunks of juniper trees and downed trees due to a lack of chopping tools. Wickiups were used as shelter for the Newe families.

Pine nuts grew abundantly in the nearby mountain ranges, and were gathered in large quantities to use during the winter months. Shoshones still gather pine nuts today.

In 1931, the Federal Government purchased 10 acres of land near Ely for the use of Ely Tribal people. Known today as Pine Street. Several small homes were built on this parcel of land in the early 1930’s. Some families temporarily lived in tents, some babies were born here. The Administration building was an old home, the building was later used for the Housing Authority until 1973. Another of the homes was used for the Tribe’s clinic that was held once a month.

All of the families shared one well. Before the well, travel to Murray Springs (which is about a mile away) was needed.

A rock building, that stands to this day, built in the 1930’s, was used as the community bath and wash house. In the later years it was used as the Tribe’s Smoke Shop.

The housing development on the 10 acres parcel was scarcely inhabited, as the location of the property was on a steep hill with a slope of 20 to 30%. Today, located on this parcel is one home site; the old day care building. It is used for storage, buildings 1-3 are leased out to a business and the environmental office.

Only two areas of land were suitable for development until 2005. Plans are to construct three lots for future homes.

In 1973, the Tribe entered into a 55-year lease with White Pine County for an additional parcel of eleven acres for home site construction. The Tribe purchased this land outright in 1992. This project was a mutual help project, the homeowner participated in building their homes. This parcel of land is at its full capacity with it’s 17 homes. Also located on this parcel of land was the gym/Administration building that is now used for the Cannabis Grow. Currently the Tribe is working with an attorney to get this parcel of land into trust.  Since it is not in trust status, it is fee land.

In 1977, PL 95-191 conveyed to the Ely Shoshone Tribe an additional 90 acre parcel of land. This parcel adjoins the Ely City limits to the south. Of the 90 acres, 30 are located on the east side of highway 6 (Great Basin Blvd) and is primarily designated for economic development as it is on prime commercial highway. The Tribe currently has 74 homes located on this parcel. Our housing is at full occupancy, with a waiting list. The 90 acres also has one community play area for the children.

Also located on the 90 acres off Heritage Drive are the following Departments

1.       Law Enforcement Department

2. Judicial / Tribal Court Office

3.       The Housing Department / Housing Maintenance

4.       The Newe Medical Clinic

5.       The Administration Building

Human Resources

Tribal Administration

      Enrollment Department

     Finance Department

Health Administration

6.       Education Department

Youth Intervention Program

Preschool

7.   Environmental Department

8. Maintenance Department

Currently Ely Shoshone Tribe’s enterprises; Silver Sage Travel Center, along with the Tsaa Nesunkwa Dispensary, sit on approximately 6.5 acres located on the Great Basin Highway.

The building of the Travel Center was funded by the combination of three limited sources, US Department of Housing and Urban Development-Indian Community Development Block Grant, US Commerce Economic Development Administration, and Tribal funds. The ground breaking ceremony for Silver Sage Travel Center was held on September 11, 2003. Silver Sage Travel Center opened for business in May of 2004. Grand Opening Ceremonies were held on June 5, 2004. The Travel Center is open from 4:00 am to 11:00 pm and employs 10-14 personnel.

In 1998, the Ely Shoshone Tribe received a Brownsfield Grant. This grant was used to clean up the old Ely City Landfill on the eastern portion of the 90 acres. The land fill was unregulated and active from the early 1900’s until the late 1950’s. The cleanup was completed in October 2003. Because of the landfill, it is unsuitable for development at this time.

The Ely Shoshone Tribe was successful transferring parcels from the Bureau of Land Management into Trust Land as part of the White Pine County lands bill. In developing the proposal, the Tribe considered the suitability of land in regards to historical, cultural, spiritual, housing, natural resources and economic interest. Ancestral lands of the Western Shoshone Nation have deep religious and cultural significance to the Western Shoshone Indians. The land has always been utilized by Western Shoshones for gathering, hunting, cultural and spiritual purposes.  On December 20, 2006 -President Bush signed a bill transferring 3526 acres into trust for the Ely Shoshone Tribe.

Parcel one is 543 acres and located 105 miles south of Ely on Highway 93

Parcel two is 302 acres and located 5.5 miles south of Ely on Highway 93. 

Parcel three is the largest parcel at 1,994 acres and is located 7.5 miles southwest of Ely on Highway 6. This site is designated for cultural and spiritual purposes. No building is allowed.

Parcel four is 660 acres and is located 10.75 north of McGill, Nevada on Highway 93.

In 2012 the Tribe signed a purchase agreement to property located at 505 S. Pioche Highway. This consists of 19.7 acres

On August 25, 2015 an MOU was signed with Dice LLC for the expertise in production and marketing, including retail and non-retail of marijuana product.

With the legalization of Recreational Marijuana on January 1, 2017; the Ely Shoshone Tribe adopted the Retail Marijuana Code on November 8, 2017.  The Tribe then approved the Ely Shoshone Tribe Liability Company Ordinance on January 22, 2018 and formed the EST Enterprise LLC. Within the Operating Agreement of the EST Enterprise LLC that was approved on February 5, 2018. A Planning Board was created under Section 7. 

The Ely Shoshone Tribe has one grow facilities and a Dispensary located on tribal lands. Another grow facility is located on fee land, this fee land is owned by the Tribe.