By ROSELYNN YAZZIE

Office of Public Affairs

FORT HALL, Idaho – The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes officially swore in newly elected Fort Hall Business Council members and seated officers on June 9, 2026.

To open the ceremony, Lee Juan Tendoy offered a prayer. The Spring Creek drum group sang as Gifferd Osborne, Michael Perry and Frances Goli presented the United States and Tribal flag.

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are governed by seven members of the Fort Hall Business Council, who are elected to serve staggered two-year terms. The Council was established under the Tribes’ Constitution and Bylaws, which were approved by the Tribes and ratified by the federal government in 1937 under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes’ May 29 General Election resulted in the election of Donna Thompson, Devon Boyer, and Michael Alan Tindore Sr. to the Fort Hall Business Council.

Donna Thompson was re-elected as Chairwoman; Nathan Small is Vice Chairman, Devon Boyer is Secretary, Ladd Edmo is Treasurer, Russell Haskett is Sergeant-at-Arms, and Lee Juan Tendoy and Michael Alan Tindore Sr. are council members.

District representatives are as follows: Donna Thompson, Lincoln Creek District; Russell Haskett, Bannock Creek District; Lee Juan Tendoy and Nathan Small, Gibson District; Michael Alan Tindore Sr., Ross Fork District; and Ladd Edmo and Devon Boyer, Fort Hall District.

Also taking the oath of office from Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Hall Agency Superintendent Dawn D. Davis were newly elected Land Use Policy Commissioners Aaron Broncho and Casper Appenay.

Superintendent Davis said, “The oath you took today represents the trust the membership has in all of you. I look forward to your leadership.”

Ending his term on Council was Ronald Todd Appenay, who was acknowledged for his work and service to the Tribes.

Chairwoman Thompson thanked everyone for coming to the ceremony and their support in the last election.

Boyer shared that it’s a pleasure to serve the people and is something he keeps in his heart and spirit. He said while it can be challenging and overwhelming, it is with the help of others that they look for a better tomorrow.

Tindore said he loves to serve the people and looks forward to working with fellow council members to keep going in a good way.  

The ceremony ended with a prayer and smudge for the new officials, provided by Anthony Pete Broncho and Franklin Devinney.