Elko, Nevada—On the evening of June 5, 2025, the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes hosted a special benefit gala where proceeds from the night went to the construction costs of the Owyhee Combined Schools.
Dressed in black-tie attire, guests from the mining sector, tribal partners, and the community arrived at the Maverick Hotel & Casino ready to socialize and celebrate a night of entertainment and philanthropy.
Elko’s American Legion Reed-Gregory Post 7 brought in the US and tribal flag to the drumbeats of the Duck Valley Singers, as a prayer was given in Paiute by Yolanda Manning.
As the emcees for the evening, Chairman Brian Mason and Kendrick Owyhee welcomed guests and encouraged them to continue their contributions to the school. As a special recognition, Chairman Mason honored Te-Moak tribal member Felix Ike with a special video from Vietnam comrade Ernie Stensgar of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Idaho and a blanket. Stensgar’s family was in attendance for this special event.
The night continued with a cultural presentation led by Councilwoman Daliah Abel and Public Affairs Officer Marco Ovando. The Duck Valley Singers sang two hand drum songs, and a video of the 4th of July Powwow and Rodeo was played.
As dinner progressed, Auctioneer Sheldon Mudd enthusiastically enticed the crowd to bid on several big items, such as a weekend getaway to the Palms Las Vegas donated by the Yuhaaviatam Nation of San Manuel, a half a beef processed and wrapped by the Bachman family, a guided elk hunt donated by the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, and a Micqaela Jones original art piece titled “From the Four Directions.” The art piece sold for an astonishing $22,000.
The night ended with live music from the Jake Jacobson band and the announcement that over $500,000 dollars was raised. Chairman Mason was elated with the outcome.
The gala was supported generously by the Nevada Gold Mines Native American Affairs team. The Shoshone-Paiute thanks everyone who played a part in making the evening a successful and memorable occasion. All raised funds have been placed in a fund to be matched by the State of Nevada, thanks to AB355 being signed into law.
