2019

The June 13 to 16, 2019 event featured the renaming ceremony of Quarry View Park to Eagle Rock Park and the Castle Rock Reserve to Chief Eagle Eye Reserve where Idaho Governor Brad Little attended, tribal leaders and Idaho National Guard leadership. Idaho Governor Brad Little acknowledged the presence of the Native people coming to the land for centuries for ceremonial gatherings. “It has been and will always be a sacred place, and now its name will reflect its significance,” said Governor Little.

He spoke about the history in the area and said after Boise’s founding Native Americans and settlers clashed. In 1864 the United States government forced the Shoshone, Bannock and Paiute to give up their Boise Valley lands in the Treaty of Fort Boise, but the U.S. Senate never ratified the treaty and the federal government did not compensate the tribes for the land.

“It is fitting that this place should bear a name that recognizes Idaho’s first people,” he said.

Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Ladd Edmo talked about how the Weiser Shoshone were forcibly removed to Fort Hall from the area. He talked about Chief Eagle Eye’s legacy as a leader for the people. He said the people are honored today with songs and blessings and the elders present have a tremendous amount of knowledge to share.

“We’re proud and honored to have this park renamed,” said Chairman Edmo. “And it’s a great honor for me to be here.”

City of Boise Mayor David Bieter greeted the crowd in the Bannock language and the crowd cheered. He thanked everyone who helped make the event happen and recognized all the tribal members in attendance.

Mayor Bieter said he was honored and felt so deeply gratified to rededicate the park and Castle Rock Reserve in honor of ancestors and the tribal people’s history in the land. He said there is no question this has been a long time in coming and will not be the final step in acknowledging the history of the areas indigenous people.