Photo of Chief Washakie is courtesy of the American Heritage Center

Named after the historical figure of Chief Washakie of the Eastern Shoshone tribe, the Washakie Center pays homage to a revered leader in Native American culture.  Chief Washakie was one of the most remarkable leaders of the West and was admired for his statesmanship and respected in battle.  He united his people into a significant political and military force. 

Chief Washakie was born into the Flathead tribe in 1798 and stayed with them until the murder of his father by a band of Blackfeet.  Washakie was stabbed and left for dead in the incident.  His mother and sisters found him and escaped, eventually seeking refuge with the Lemhi tribe. 

Around 1830 Washakie, whose name translates as “Raw Hide Rattle”, joined the Shoshones.  In 1840 he was elected as a tribal sub-chief.  Four years later Washakie ascended to head chief of the tribe.  At the time of his election, the Eastern Shoshones were divided into a number of small bands that Washakie was eventually able to unite. 

Chief Washakie realized that the white men moving into the region must be dealt with and that friendship, not opposition, was the best route.  His effective negotiating skills allowed him to secure a choice piece of land for his people.  Washakie signed the Fort Bridger Treaty on July 3, 1868, officially establishing the Wind River Reservation in the beautiful and fertile Lander valley. 

Chief Washakie died on February 20, 1900.  He was buried in an old military cemetery at Fort Washakie.  He was given a full military funeral – the only one known to have been given to an Indian Chief. 

**The above information was obtained from A History of the University of Wyoming - 1887-1964 by Wilson O. Clough (1965).  The text was a compilation of three previous works: History of the University  1887-1937; The University in War - 1939-1946; The Third Quarter - 1937-1962.  No publishing date or locale.