Idaho National Laboratory Partners with Shoshone-Bannock Tribes for Earth Day Celebration on Fort Hall Reservation
FORT HALL, Idaho — The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes hosted a 2026 Earth Day event on April 17, welcoming tribal members, students, and employees from the Idaho National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy to the Fort Hall Reservation in a gathering that blended scientific innovation with generations of cultural land stewardship.
The day’s activities included a fun run and walk, cultural workshops and presentations, a shared feast, and a ceremony honoring Mother Earth — known in the Shoshone-Bannock tradition as Sogo Bia Dabai’Yi. Wild horses were visible across the reservation throughout the event, a fitting backdrop for a day centered on the natural world and humanity’s relationship to it.
Tradition and Innovation on Common Ground
For the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, land stewardship is not a calendar occasion but a daily responsibility carried forward through spirituality, culture, ceremony, and community. That long-standing ethic found an unexpected parallel in INL’s mission to discover, demonstrate, and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions and critical infrastructure designed to serve future generations.
Hosting the event on the reservation underscored a shared commitment to the responsible care of natural resources — one rooted in tradition for the Tribes and in technological progress for the laboratory. Tribal leaders and INL researchers used the occasion to engage in mutual learning, with scientists and engineers sharing how emerging energy technologies are reducing carbon emissions, strengthening grid resilience, and supporting national energy security, while tribal representatives offered traditional ecological knowledge and community-driven stewardship practices.
Louie Martin, a Shoshone-Bannock tribal elder, spoke to the significance of the gathering. “Mother Earth is like a mother; she cares for us, even in the smallest ways,” Martin said. “Honoring her on Earth Day is a way of recognizing that our survival has always depended on her. Our ancestors lived through their relationship with Mother Earth. She provided everything they needed, including bones, fur and stones used as tools. Each place offered what was necessary. By honoring her, we help ensure that our children understand all she has given.”
The feast and celebration ceremony gave attendees — many of them engineers and researchers who spend their days working on next-generation energy systems — an opportunity to see environmental responsibility through the lens of tribal governance, education, and community life.
A Bridge Between Heritage and Energy Security
INL’s tribal engagement lead, Elese Teton, described the partnership as an opportunity to connect two distinct but compatible worldviews. “As INL’s Tribal Engagement lead, I see this partnership for Earth Day as a bridge between tradition and innovation,” Teton said. “By working together and learning from one another, we can identify respectful, responsible ways to steward Mother Earth’s resources.”
Alana Edmo, Energy Resources program manager for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, framed the collaboration around the principle of intergenerational responsibility — a concept that also lies at the heart of long-term energy planning. “Earth Day reminds us that doing energy right means honoring the land, serving the people, and protecting the future,” Edmo said. “Our responsibility is to meet today’s needs while preserving opportunities for future generations.”
The event drew John Wagner, who addressed the crowd and highlighted the importance of land stewardship and education in advancing that shared mission. INL’s collaboration with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes reflects a broader laboratory commitment to building strong, respectful relationships with tribal nations and regional communities across East Idaho.
As one of Idaho’s most significant research institutions, INL’s work on domestic energy production and nuclear innovation continues to shape the region’s economic and energy landscape. For more on statewide energy and policy developments, visit Idaho News.
Bonneville County readers interested in other community highlights may also want to check out the new mural underway at Marshall Public Library, another example of East Idaho institutions building connections through shared culture and public space.
What Comes Next
INL and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have not publicly announced specific follow-up events or expanded programming stemming from the April 17 celebration, but tribal and laboratory officials both indicated the partnership is ongoing. The collaboration stands as a model for how federal research institutions can engage regional communities — including sovereign tribal nations — in ways that honor local heritage while advancing national energy priorities. Community members and stakeholders interested in future tribal engagement events or INL outreach activities are encouraged to monitor announcements from both organizations.