The 1.7+ million-acre Wind River Indian Reservation, established in 1864 through the Bridger-Teton Treaty with the U.S. government, is home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. The Wind River Indian Reservation offers visitors a cultural peek into the history of two Native American tribes who now share the beautiful wide open spaces north of Lander.

St. Stephen's Mission, a Catholic mission three and a half miles southwest of Riverton, was founded in the early 1900s. The original mission buildings still exist and Mass is still held in the old, recently remodeled church. A gift shop and heritage center is open to the public. The North American Indian Heritage Center offers historic photographs of tribal members.

If you are looking to discover more about Sacajawea, the Wind River Indian Reservation is the place to go. Near Fort Washakie you will find the grave of Sacajawea, her nephew Bazil, and a memorial to her son Baptiste. Many believe she returned to her Shoshone people in Fort Washakie where she died and was buried on April 9, 1884, by the Episcopal missionary, Reverend John Roberts. While living on the Wind River Indian Reservation Sacajawea served as a translator for Chief Washakie in negotiations to establish the reservation and was often seen wearing one the peace medals given out by Lewis and Clark. Sacajawea Cemetery is located in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains where you will find the 13,569-foot Mt. Sacajawea.

Located approximately ½ mile from the Shoshone Tribal Offices, Chief Washakie Cemetery is the final resting place of the last chief of the Shoshone Tribe, Chief Washakie. Chief Washakie is buried in the older section of the cemetery. A large headstone marks his grave.

In the courtyard of the Shoshone Tribal Office, a statue of Chief Washakie can be viewed. This statue was created with such attention to detail that not only does one stand in this courtyard, but also in the US Capitol Building and in the State Capitol Building as well.

At the center of it all, Riverton is a great place to start to see all of these areas. For maps and more information please contact the Riverton Chamber of Commerce.

Riverton Chamber of Commerce
213 West Main Street
307-856-4801
http://www.rivertonchamber.org