FORT BRIDGER — The 1868 Fort Bridger treaty was the agreement between two cultures to live cohesively and in peace instead of having warfare between the two. The 150-year or the sesquicentennial celebration of the signing of the treaty was held at the Fort Bridger State Historic Site Tuesday. It included members of the Eastern Shoshone and the Shoshone-Bannock tribes and re-enactment cavalry soldiers. And true to the signing, the flag flying at the state site was a U.S. flag of 36 stars.

The re-enactment took place on the parade ground at the state site, under skies, which were sometimes cloudy, sometimes clear, and heat from the sun beat down on the area. At times the gentle breeze kicked up and the clouds partially covered the sun to ease the heat from the sun’s rays.

The official 1868 treaty, which was signed at Fort Bridger, Utah Territory, was the work of many, both white and Indian, in which the two cultures could form an agreement.

Governor Matt Mead was on hand and said the Wyoming Legislature, during the session this year, had set the wheels in motion for the history of the Native Americans of Wyoming could be taught in Wyoming’s schools. He thanked the Eastern Shoshone and the Shoshone-Bannock for their contributions to the state and recognized their contributions to the state, and noted, in 150 years, there had been a lot of changes.

Multiple tribal representatives spoke during the ceremony.

Pictured:

Peace Commissioner Major General C.C. Augur, second from left, and Chief Taghee and Chief Washakie get ready to sign the treaty. PIONEER PHOTO/Virginia Giorgis