Tribal Government

For generations, understanding the government of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes has been essential to understanding Wyoming itself. Yet many Wyoming citizens have had limited access to clear, accurate information about how tribal government works, how it developed, and why it matters to the state today.

Tribal Government: Wind River Reservation offers an accessible, updated introduction to that story. First published in the early 1990s to help students and citizens better understand the Wind River Indian Reservation, the book has long served as a foundational resource for educators, policymakers, and community members. This new 2025 edition-fully revised and expanded-reflects more than three decades of significant legal, political, and structural changes in tribal governance.

Drawing on the original work of Janet Flynn, and enriched by new scholarship, editorial contributions, and firsthand expertise, this edition traces the evolution of governance among the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho:

• Early systems of leadership and traditional governance

• The complex history that led two distinct nations to share a single reservation

• The formation and operation of modern tribal councils and courts

• Contemporary issues shaping sovereignty, education, land use, and intergovernmental relations

• A new comprehensive chapter on Indian gaming and its impact on tribal economies

Developed in partnership with WyoHistory.org, Wyoming's online encyclopedia, this edition is designed as a "living" resource-grounded in history, aligned with Indian Education for All standards, and prepared for future updates as tribal, state, and federal policies continue to evolve.

Whether used in classrooms, government offices, or community settings, Tribal Government: Wind River Reservation provides essential context for anyone seeking to understand how tribal governments function, how they collaborate with state and federal partners, and how the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho nations continue to exercise sovereignty, adapt to new challenges, and shape the future of Wyoming.