Chief Tahgee
During the 1800s the indigenous people were faced with the vast immigration of Europeans that resulted in the Indian people being forced out of their beloved country. The native people were faced with choices of being hostile or being peaceful and facing the ramifications that resulted from either decision. Chief Tahgee, a Bannock tribal leader made a fateful decision that lead to significant and important parts of history.
In August 1867, Governor Ballard wanted to meet with Chief Tahgee. Although the Chief mistrusted the message, he made arrangements to meet with the Governor. At this meeting near the Camas Prairie, the Chief stated the following: (excerpts from the speech) “I thought when the white people came to Soda Springs and built houses and put soldiers in them it was to protect my people, but now they are all gone (the Indians), and I do not know where to go, nor what to do; the white men have come into my country and have not asked my consent. Why is this and why have no persons talked to me before? I have never known what the white people wanted me to do. I have never killed white men who were passing into my country. What you say now I will never forget ……Our hunting is not as good as it used to be or my people so numerous. I will go from here to the Buffalo Country; there I will meet all my tribe, and will tell them of this talk, and of the arrangements we may make. I am willing to go on to the reservation as you propose, but when will you want us to go? We could go next spring.” During August, Chief Tahgee took his people to Fort Hall as he promised, and he waited for the government to make good on their promises. With the government promises not kept, the Chief took his band to the Buffalo Country. In 1871 to tribal people returned to Fort Hall and announced that the Chief had died in his beloved Buffalo Country. Chief Tahgee was born in the early 1800s and was in his forties at the time of his death. He was celebrated as a peace Chief of the Bannock and was instrumental for the formation of a homeland on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation and for the establishment of gathering rights in the Camas Prairie and hunting rights in the aboriginal territories. During his lifetime he had three children, one of which was Chief Tyhee. Chief Tyhee followed his father’s lead as an important leader of the Bannock tribe. Today, the name of the great statesman Chief Tahgee adorns many landmarks of southeastern Idaho. While the spelling and meaning of his name may have been altered over time, his memory and spirit will live on, forever. By Dee Klenck |
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