The Warm Valley

Mixed Media : Ledger Paper, Acrylic Paint, Colored Pencil, Marker, India Ink

Dimensions: 11”x17”Original: 1810 Ledger Paper

By: Joanne Brings Thunder - 2025

The Eastern Shoshone people call the Wind River Valley, the location of the Wind River Indian Reservation, the "Warm Valley". They chose this name because the area provides a milder climate and essential resources compared to other locations, especially during the harsh Wyoming winters. 

The "Warm Valley" meaning is rooted in both the Eastern Shoshone history and the area's natural features:

• A historical wintering ground: The Wind River Valley was a historical wintering ground for the Eastern Shoshone due to its relatively mild climate. Chief Washakie, who was instrumental in negotiating the treaty that established the reservation, specifically advocated for this location so his people could maintain self-sufficiency.

• Abundant resources: The valley offered crucial resources like water, arable land, and game for the tribe.

• Natural hot springs: While the term refers to the valley as a whole, the region is also home to natural warm springs, such as the Washakie Mineral Hot Springs near Fort Washakie.

• A permanent home: The Eastern Shoshone settled in the Wind River Valley as their permanent home following the Fort Bridger Treaty of 1868. Today, the Wind River Indian Reservation is still their homelands.