Tribal membership given updates at Sho-Ban Tribes Annual Meeting
Shoshone-Bannock tribal members attend the Annual Meeting at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel Chiefs Event Center on Friday, May 22.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Legal, financial and casino updates were provided at the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Annual Meeting May 22 at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel.
The meeting began around 10:47 a.m. with tribal elder Doyle Punkin giving the prayer.
Fort Hall Business Council Chairwoman Donna Thompson said gaming distribution is June 1 but reminded those on SSI, Social Security to complete the forms to turn into Tribal Finance.
FHBC treasurer Ladd Edmo introduced Dennis Champion, financial manager. Treasurer Edmo said the Tribes aren’t broke and they are being economically responsible.
Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel CEO Colista Matsaw speaks to Annual Meeting
attendees.
Champion discussed the restoration efforts after the cyberattack, percentages of funds from grants, indirect and general funds, along with comparisons of revenue and expenses. He also talked about key initiatives including finalizing audits. He’s appreciative of the financial staff for working in the recovery effort.
Champion said the FHBC has the ultimate authority and responsibility – everything from the application process for federal awards, budgeting process, authority to sign all contract services – all has to be approved at the discretion of the council.
Fort Hall Business Council members at the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Annual Meeting.
Louise Dixey asked a question about indirect costs and how they’re determined. He explained the process. Virginia Broncho asked about drawdowns of grants and how programs operate without the funds. Champion said programs are operating same as before on cost reimbursement with money coming out of general funds then get reimbursement the following month.
Next up was the legal update Gaylen Edmo provided. He was the Fish and Wildlife Policy Analyst but is now working for the attorney’s office as assistant general counsel. Chairwoman Thompson said there were questions from some tribal members about Gaylen’s ability to practice law for the Tribes, so he explained.
He explained about the Marshall Trilogy for those who studied federal Indian law – one of the doctrines that comes out of them (early case law from the U.S. Supreme Court) holds that Indian tribes are sovereigns that pre-existed in the United States and the Constitution. That recognition of sovereignty also includes the authority to make their own laws, be ruled by them, also within that Marshall Trilogy, is a holding that state law is preempted on Indian reservations, unless federal law allows for some exclusion or some exception of that doctrine. Included in that, in present day, is what tribes can regulate as far as who are attorneys or the validity attorneys within the exterior boundaries of a reservation. State law does not apply on the reservation for that. It does off reservation but there are other ways of... admission to a bar. He doesn’t have anything to hide, he grew up on the reservation. He said presently Idaho has 266 as a passing score on the bar exam and he scored 263 meaning he’s eligible for a handful of states to be an attorney. His objective was to come to Fort Hall and run for tribal leadership and was fortunate to be elected in 2022 but didn’t make it back on in 2024. He was admitted to the New Mexico State Bar in 2024. “I’m also admitted in the Ninth Circuit, Federal Court of Appeals, the 10th Circuit, Federal Court of Appeals, and the Oregon Federal District.” He’s also worked for Native American Rights Fund in multiple capacities. In addition, he worked for the Idaho Federal District Court writing some of Judge Winmill’s orders.
Tribal member Willow Abrahamson speaks at the meeting.
A quorum of 150 voters was reached so Chairwoman Thompson called the meeting to order at 11:38 a.m.
Gaylen said he worked with Bill Bacon significantly, had support from him and discussions about integrating into the attorney’s office from the council and Monte Gray. He responded yes but wanted to stay intimately tied to Treaty rights, a priority. Gaylen became the attorney on record for the Tribes in U.S. v. Oregon. The Tribes became a full party in the case in 1986. The federal court has already recognized the fact the Tribes have a treaty right to fish. He gave an update on the Tribes recent federal court hearing in Oregon where the Tribes argued they have a valid right to take fish (an equitable share) on the unoccupied lands of the Columbia River and the judge should be issuing a ruling within 60 days. It may end up in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Fish and Wildlife Director Chad Colter said he has full confidence in Gaylen as a tribal attorney, “He’ll do the Tribes very well in the future in his role as an attorney, I think that’s the right place for him.” Colter urged people to read the year-end report that gives updates on bison issues and U.S. v. Oregon. They want to make sure tribal members are protected when exercising their rights on unoccupied lands of the U.S.
From left, tribal assistant counsel Gaylen Edmo and Fish & Wildlife director Chad Colter present
to the tribal membership.
Rose Ann Abrahamson spoke in the Shoshone language explaining in English when taivos came in they impacted the salmon. She thanked both Chad and Gaylen for their work. She said we as tribal people are powerful, we do not sell salmon – it sustains us, we eat it. “All Agai Dekas in this room are proud of it. If you need us to stand by you, we will.”
Billie Ann Appenay read the minutes of the May 10, 2025 Annual Meeting. Alana Edmo made a motion to approve and Lizzie Boyd seconded it. There were 100 in favor an 0 opposed.
FHBC Treasurer Ladd Edmo speaks.
Colista Matsaw, Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel CEO, then gave a report. Matsaw gave information on her background noting she started her gaming career in 1998 at a gaming resort in Albuquerque. She has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and Gaming Management and a Master’s in Business Administration. She’s been the CEO for two years. She believes her strength is being able to look at the operations and see where their staff can effectively make decisions that will help not just today but the future.
“As a tribal member, I feel very strongly about working towards what is next. What are we working towards? We can’t stay the same. That is the reason why we invested money into some of the accounts for instance,” she said.
Matsaw, responding to an earlier question Louise Dixey asked about hiring a CFO, said having a chief financial officer is not a regulatory requirement – the compact does require an independent audit done by a certified public accountant.
Fort Hall Reservation community district building updates shown.
She showed a PowerPoint slide of capital project improvements being done or completed. They include the Camas Restaurant remodel 2023-2026; remodel of hotel rooms 2023-2025; Event Center remodel including replace carpet, paint, wallpaper, PA system, speakers, projectors, projector screens in 2023-2026. Sage Hill (2025) and Bannock Peak (2024) casinos were remodeled. Pylon signage 2025 interstate marquee sign. Wayfinding signage – exterior done 2023-2025. Interior wayfinding signage 2023-2024. Council wall (pictures of FHBC) 2023-2026. Miss Sho-Ban wall (pictures of Miss Sho-Ban queens) 2023-2026.
Gaylene Turnage, Controller, gave her background information, her parents and grandparents names. She has 25 plus years in accounting and finance that prepared her for the role she’s in today. She asked those present to follow what she spoke about in the annual report and discussed the organization’s overall financial position. She displayed a PowerPoint slide that gave a five-year revenue, expense and profit trend. She talked about the audit.
There were questions from the audience both responded to such as number of machines, the cost to eat in the Camas restaurant, among others. There is no online casino or fan page.
The quorum was lost at 1:46 p.m.
The meeting ended at 2:25 p.m.
