Historical Gift of the Waters Pageant

The 121st Gift of the Waters Pageant begins at 6 p.m. Aug. 5 and 6 in Hot Springs State Park, at the Big Spring.

The site is significant, because it is the water from this spring which was part of the treaty signed on April 21, 1896 at Fort Washakie by Chief Washakie of the Shoshone and Chief Sharp Nose of the Arapaho. The tribes sold nearly ten square miles of land to the United States for $60,000.

Prior to 1897, the springs were a part of the Wind River Indian Reservation. After Chief Washakie signed the treaty for the land, he said, “I have given you the spring; my heart feels good.” However, he also requested a portion of the water remain free to the people and that a campground be reserved for the Native Americans. In 1899, the Wyoming Legislature set aside a fourth of the water from the Big Spring for free use, and in later years a campground for the Native Americans was reserved.

The pageant, written by Marie Montabe in 1925, was first presented the same year. It would be 25 years before it was presented again, in 1950, but has been every year since, and is performed by Shoshone tribes and local residents. Through song and dance, the pageant recalls the blessing and gifting of the waters.

Gift of the Waters Committee Treasurer Barb Vietti hopes there will be good weather and good crowds for the pageant, noting it typically draws 400 to 500 people.

Prior to the pageant itself, there is the Pageant Parade beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. The parade will begin at the Hot Springs County Senior Center and travel through town, (route) ending at the flagpole. Immediately following the parade, there will be Native American dancers at the flagpole. Vietti noted the dancers do invite spectators to join them.

Vietti said people can volunteer to help out with the pageant as well. Volunteers are needed to help serve refreshments to pageant participants, and to make sure the dancers at the flagpole have enough water. People are also needed to sell bottled water at the pageant.

For those who want something to remember the pageant, aside from pictures and memories, shirts are available. Prices are $15 pre-pageant and $20 at the pageant. Contact Committee Vice Chair Howie Samelson at 864-3002 to order one.

Those who would like to make a donation can send it to Gift of the Waters Pageant, P.O. Box 936, Thermopolis, WY 82443, go online to giftofthewater.com or check out the Gift of the Waters Pageant Facebook page.