Latest news with #PioneerDay
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘They didn't discover this land, there were people that lived here,': Shoshone Tribal Elder tells the untold side of the Pioneer Day story
SALT LAKE CITY () — As Pioneer Day celebrations take place across the Beehive State, a Shoshone Tribe elder spoke out about the untold history of pioneers settling in native lands in Utah. Darren Parry, former Chairman of the Shoshone Tribe and devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke to in an exclusive interview Thursday about the complexities of one of Utah's most popular holidays. 'On one hand, I'm Shoshone… and on the other hand, I'm a sixth-generation Latter-day Saint,' Parry said. 'I absolutely love and honor the pioneers who came, but they didn't discover this land. There were people that lived here.' Two sides to the pioneer story According to the LDS church, as many as 70,000 Saints migrated to Utah and the surrounding areas between 1847 and 1868. 'The records of those who made this trek describe… episode[s] of disease, danger, bravery, and miracles,' the church's website reads. 'You have this state holiday when only one side is celebrated and told,' Parry told Parry says telling the Indigenous people's story is not to replace Pioneer heritage and history, but to be a companion to it. He strongly discourages harboring hard feelings of anger towards anyone based on history, but rather encourages people to ask, 'Is there another side to the story?' In a National Park Service historic resource study, the Mormon Pioneers were part of the idea and the realization of the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, and that they 'contributed to the growth of white supremacy in the west.' 'I cannot separate that story from the broader one. The story of Manifest Destiny, a belief that drove expansion across this continent at the cost of Indigenous lives, lands, and cultures,' Parry said. 'I think a lot of people don't look at the… problematic side of their ancestors coming here because it was never taught,' he said. The Bear River Massacre According to Parry, before the arrival of Mormon Pioneers, the Shoshone Tribe's home base was centered in Cache Valley, or 'Sihiviogoi' in the Shoshone language, meaning 'Willow River.' Over time, more and more pioneers came and settled in the valley. By 1856, thousands of Pioneers had settled there and had already begun to deplete its natural resources. The late BYU historian, Harold Schindler, wrote in 2012 that tensions began to grow between settlers and the Shoshone, who, 'faced with dwindling lands and food sources, had resorted to theft in order to survive.' 'The saints began writing letters to Salt Lake for somebody to come take care of the 'Indian Problem,'' Parry told adding that the letters eventually made it to U.S. Soldiers at Fort Douglas. According to Schindler, on January 29, 1863, soldiers from Fort Douglas attacked a Shoshoni camp on the Bear River near modern-day Preston, Idaho, killing nearly 300 men, women, and children. However, many Shoshone believe the number to be closer to 400, making it the largest massacre of Indigenous people in the history of the U.S. Healing from 'generational trauma' In an LDS Church history essay, historians detail that while Indigenous peoples in some instances captured horses and burned prairie grass to divert bison away from Latter-day Saint hunters, they were often hospitable and sometimes offered to push handcarts or help the migrants ford rivers. Within 10 years of the Bear River Massacre, Shoshone and Pioneers began to interact with one another, Parry said. 'In May of 1873, 102 Shoshones were baptized members of the LDS Church in the Bear River. The same river that, 10 years earlier, saw the destruction of our people.' According to Shoshone oral history, tribal leaders began having visions and manifestations about a god among the Mormon Church, leading many to join the faith; However, Parry acknowledges that material benefits and security may have been a factor in so many Shoshone joining the church. He concluded, saying, 'We just want to acknowledge the past and allow us to heal from this generational trauma that's existed from 1847 on.' Latest headlines: Two fires ignite near freeway in Salt Lake City, fireworks 'unlikely' cause Trump targets disaster mitigation funds, raising risks in future crises Trump and Powell feud explodes in public White House mulling a rare tool to block spending without Congress: What to know GOP leaders submarined by Epstein uproar Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Axios
27-06-2025
- Climate
- Axios
Where and when fireworks are banned in Utah
Fireworks have already caused one wildfire this summer in Utah, as the state is expected to get hotter and drier in the week before the Fourth of July. The big picture: The holiday brings twice as many wildfires to Western states as any other day, according to researchers in California and Idaho. July is a double-whammy in Utah, with Pioneer Day celebrations typically eclipsing those on the Fourth. Driving the news: A wildfire sparked Wednesday by fireworks forced more than 100 people to evacuate Cedar Hills in Utah County, fire officials said. The latest: Thanks to recent dry weather, state and federal officials will implement heightened fire restrictions throughout Utah starting Saturday. Fireworks are always banned on federally owned land — and that ban now extends to all land outside any city's limits. Campfires are restricted to approved campsites in most of the state. See guidelines from Utah Fire Info for firearms, smoking, metalworking and motorized equipment. What's next: The National Weather Service predicted temperatures 5 to 10 degrees higher than normal heading into the holiday week. There may be showers in northern Utah as the holiday approaches, but the forecast calls for mostly sunny skies. Be smart: In Salt Lake County, fireworks are permitted only in certain neighborhoods, mapped here. Violations carry fines up to $1,000. How it works: Fireworks are illegal to use statewide except July 2-5 and July 22-25, from 11am to 11pm, with hours extending to midnight on July 4 and 24. Fireworks are also allowed on New Year's Eve and Lunar New Year.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City schools offer summer meal programs to children
SALT LAKE CITY () — Salt Lake City School District is offering free meals to all children under the age of 18 this summer. Children from the ages of 0-18 can pick up lunch this summer from the Salt Lake City Library, several Salt Lake City parks, and multiple schools around the city. Elementary schools where summer school is in session are also serving free breakfast. Funding for this program is provided by the federal government, and there are rules to participate. Children must be at the location in person to get a meal, and meals must be eaten at the site. However, children are allowed to take home one fruit or a side item. Dietary needs can also be accommodated. The school district requests you contact the Child Nutrition Department at (801) 974-8380. From student to teacher: A full-circle story of classroom impact Hours vary depending on location, but all locations will be closed on holidays: June 16 (observing Juneteenth), July 4 (Independence Day), July 24 (Pioneer Day), and July 25. In addition to the Salt Lake City Library, lunch will be offered at the following parks: Fairmont Park Jordan Park Liberty Park Riverside Park Sherwood Park Sorenson Center Meals will be offered at the following summer school sites: Backman Elementary Edison Elementary Escalante Elementary Franklin Elementary Liberty Elementary Meadowlark Elementary Mountain View Elementary Newman Elementary Nibley Park Elementary North Star Elementary Parkview Elementary Rose Park Elementary Washington Elementary Whittier Elementary SALT Caucus, GOP leaders emerge from late-night meeting without crucial deal Car crashes into power poles, knocks out power in Layton for nearly 1K people Salt Lake City schools offer summer meal programs to children Smith's Memorial Day rib recipe is the ultimate no smoker hack Freedom Caucus chair predicts 'big beautiful bill' lacks support to pass this week Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gannon University hosts 2025 commencement ceremony Saturday
Nearly 1,000 students turned the page and began the next chapter of their lives. Gannon University held its 2025 spring commencement ceremony Saturday afternoon. New Penn State Behrend grads hopeful as they enter uncertain job market Both undergraduate and graduate students were awarded degrees after their baccalaureate mass One student, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science, pre-med, expressed her gratitude for everyone who has helped along the way. Pioneer Day at local school aims to bring history to life 'First year was pretty tough because I was pretty much first gen, so I didn't know anything about coming into here. But then I found my group of people and my clique, and I formed really meaningful connections with my professors,' said Lina Windi, who graduated on Saturday. 'I'm from Iraq originally, so getting an education and having the resources is pretty tough. So having the opportunity to get the education that I know I needed here is just amazing.' Windi's next steps are getting her Master of Medical Science from LECOM. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pioneer Day at local school aims to bring history to life
Saint Luke School in the City of Erie brought history to life for students with its fourth annual Pioneer Day. Second graders have been studying Old America, the Oregon Trail, and the expansion. Schools across Erie celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week On Friday, five stations in their gym provided hands-on lessons to enhance what they've heard in the classroom. They cooperated on tasks like building wagons and native american tribe homes. Penn State Behrend turns trash into treasure 'I think it really makes them pay attention in class, so when they come to these activities, they know what we're talking about,' said Maria Wishnok, a second-grade teacher. 'We have the tent station. Behind me, we have the American tribe station. Over there, we have the covered wagon station. Is it better than regular class? Yes, indeed it is!' said Jack Krause, a second-grade student. The students also attempted to navigate a trail and make homemade butter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
