Members of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Idaho say the U.S. 250th-anniversary celebrations feel odd because Native peoples inhabited the land long before [1].
The perspective highlights a fundamental tension between national celebrations of independence and the ancestral history of Indigenous peoples who existed prior to the formation of the United States. For many tribal members, the milestone serves as a reminder of the gap between the colonial timeline and their own.
Alonzo Coby, an Indian Relay coach, said the timeline of the celebration does not align with the experience of his people. "We as Native Americans, we have been here a lot longer than 250 years," Coby said [1].
Stephan Kniffin, a language coordinator, said the milestone feels a little odd for tribal members because they have always been here [1].
This feeling of disconnect is rooted in a history of conflict and loss. During the 1800s, the United States brought a tidal wave of displacement and cultural suppression for Native Americans, according to an Associated Press correspondent [2]. This era of forced removal and assimilation complicates the celebratory nature of the anniversary.
As the U.S. prepares to mark the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026 [1], the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes continue to maintain their presence in Idaho. Their reflections suggest that while the nation celebrates 250 years [1], the Indigenous history of the region spans millennia, a timeline that predates the current government's existence.
“"We as Native Americans, we have been here a lot longer than 250 years."”
The disconnect expressed by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes underscores the complexity of national identity in the U.S. While the 250th anniversary celebrates the birth of a political entity, it simultaneously highlights the erasure of the Indigenous populations who were present before that entity was established. This tension transforms a national holiday into a moment of reflection on displacement and survival.
