| more significant historically than the body from which it stemmed, namely the Western. While the Indians retained many of their legends and customs, they were receptive to their new environment and to the way of life of enemy tribes whose background was far different from their own. Resistance was lacking since Plains culture was not forced upon them, and the change was gradual, if never complete. In fact, these Basin aborigines were unaware that they were adjusting to their surroundings sufficiently to be called Plains Shoshonis. |
| In late prehistoric times, a further division took place, no doubt as a result of warfare with raiding tribes. Evidence points to the fact that enemies, possibly the Blackfeet, drove a wedge in their ranks. Those to the north fled to the mountains and westward into Idaho, where they came, perhaps for a second time, under the influence of their Plateau neighbors. Although the term did not originate until a half-century later, they have gone down in history as Lemhi Indians. When a woman of their number led the first Americans through their country, they were won over completely. They met in council with the white men on the friendliest of terms, and they guided them through their mountain passes. |
| Some of the Northern Shoshonis forced from the Plains found their way into southern Idaho and northern Utah. Others, in the largest and most significant segment, eventually became associated with the Green River area and are considered as a separate branchthe Eastern or Wyoming Shoshonis. These Indians threw wide the gate at South Pass and allowed fur trappers and traders, Oregon settlers, religious zealots, and California gold seekers to stream through to expand the American frontier. By so doing, they exposed themselves to yet another culture, that of the white man, who forced them to accept his way of life. Oddly enough, this forced acculturation proved more complicated for the Plains Shoshonis than for their Basin kinsmen for the reason that they were a warfaring people. |
| Unfortunately, the Indians who played such a significant role in Western history were illiterate, with no recorded language. |
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