(Fort Washakie, WY) – Community members gathered for a first look at plans for a new Eastern Shoshone Cultural Hub project at Fort Washakie School’s Culture Night last Wednesday.
Architects from To Be Done Studio, collaborating with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, presented updated renderings of the proposed Eastern Shoshone Cultural Hub. The concept art shows a modern, circular building with gallery space, a museum floor, a theater, a library and recording studio, a dance and healing studio, and a cultural education room designed for language, art, and other hands-on workshops.
The plans also include spaces for archives, storage for collections, offices, and a cafe with a gift shop to support local artists.
Large display boards were scattered throughout the cafeteria for attendees to look over the floor plans and models, and to add ideas of their own for how these spaces could best serve the community. Some children drew on their suggestions, while families and elders discussed security needs and the importance of rotating exhibits.
For Robyn Rofkar, coordinator of the Eastern Shoshone Cultural Hub, the hub represents a long-awaited place to protect and share tribal history. She spoke about efforts already underway to record songs, gather dispersed artifacts, and establish proper storage so items can be loaned, displayed, and safely returned. She noted that tribal members have been discussing a Shoshone museum for generations, including a 1949-50 document promising a temporary display “until the new Shoshone museum is built.”
“This time it’s going to work,” said Rofkar of the museum. “It will be such a valuable resource for our community, and especially our youth – which is so important for our future.”
Funding remains the project’s most significant challenge. The tribe’s first construction estimate from two years ago was $10 million, but they expect that number to rise significantly as updated figures come in from builders. In addition to construction costs, the tribe is seeking funds for an endowment to support long-term operations of the building, covering staffing for the museum and its cafe, as well as maintenance costs.
Grant Consultant Liz Kinne has become an integral part of the project, helping to raise almost a million dollars in early planning grants, but construction will ultimately require a far broader effort. The tribe is in the middle of a capital campaign feasibility study, to be completed in the spring, which will assess the philanthropic landscape and help to guide fundraising efforts in the near future. Along with public and private grants, the tribe plans to pursue private donations and support from the general public.
Omar Hakeem discussed building uses with community members at a table after the presentation Wednesday in Fort Washakie. h/t Carl Cote Fort Washakie locals listened to a presentation on the new Eastern Shoshone Cultural Hub plans Wednesday in Fort Washakie. Architects traveled to Fort Washakie to make the presentation on the plans for the building that’s been discussed on the reservation for at least 75 years. Community members were able to ask questions and make comments on the plans. h/t Carl Cote
Architect and founder of TBD Studios, Omar Hakeem, talked about why this project is so important to him. “This tribe has such an incredible story,” said Hakeem. “There’s such a huge need to save, preserve, and share these ideas…There are so many artifacts with an energy and history from the people here that need a place like this.”
Rofkar said the team sees this as “year two of a five-year plan,” though the timeline ultimately depends on how quickly funding arrives.
Those interested in more information on the project, or in making a tax-deductible donation, should click here.
Plan renderings courtesy of TBD Studio