Darren Parry

FRI, AUG 12, 2022   |  7:30-9:00 pm MST

As we reveal the story of a people whose massacre has rarely been told, we can begin to heal the trauma of the past. And not just help heal those people and their living ancestors, but ourselves, the injured land, and mother earth.

IN-PERSON GATHERING AND VIA ZOOM:

THE CONVERSATION:

We will explore how telling stories of a people honestly—walking alongside both justice and compassion—can help healing and hope occur for the past and the future. Here’s how scholar and professor Paul Reeve put it in regards to Darren’s recent and well received book on the Bear River Massacre:

“Even though the Bear River Massacre was a defining event in the history of the Northwest Band of the Shoshone, in Parry’s retelling the massacre did not trap his people in death, but offered them rebirth. While never flinching from the realities of Latter-day Saint encroachment on Shoshone land and the racial ramifications of America’s spread westward, Parry offers messages of hope. As storyteller for his people, Parry brings the full weight of Shoshone wisdom to his tales—lessons of peace in the face of violence, of strength in the teeth of annihilation, of survival through change, and of the pliability necessary for cultural endurance. These are arresting stories told disarmingly well. What emerges from the margins of these stories is much more than a history of a massacre from the Shoshone perspective, it is a poignant meditation on the resilience of the soul of a people.”

So we might ask ourselves how the trauma of our past can inform our present and future lives in healthy and positive ways. And how having compassion for perpetrators of harm to us or others—both unintentional and intentional—can bring healing and resilience for all.

ABOUT DARREN:

Darren Parry is the former Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. Darren serves on the Board of Directors for the American West Heritage Center, in Wellsville, Utah, the Utah State Museum Board, the Community Advisory Board for the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Utah Humanities Board and the PBS Utah Board of Directors. He attended the University of Utah and Weber State University and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, with an emphasis on History. Darren is the author of “The Bear River Massacre; A Shoshone History” and teaches Native American History at Utah State University. His passions in life are his wife Melody, 7 children and 14 grandchildren. His other passion is his Tribal family. He wants to make sure that those who have gone before him are not forgotten.

EXPLORE BEFORE WE MEET:

• The Bear River Massacre, Darren Parry
• Hard History: The Bear River Massacre: Video
• Massacre at Bear River: First, Worst, Forgotten
• The Bear River Massacre | Darren Perry | TEDxWahlquistJuniorHigh

WATCH THE RECORDED ZOOM CONVERSATION

This is in two parts due to technical difficulties created by my incompetence.
Part 1
Part 2

HELP DARREN AND THE SHOSHONE NATION BY DONATING TO THE

The Boa Ogoi Cultural & Interpretive Center

Darren recommended the link above to educate and enlighten visitors about the history of the Northwestern Shoshone Band.

• Click on the Zoom link above.
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ZOOM ETIQUETTE: 

• Please mute your microphone before entering and when you are not speaking so noises are not heard by everyone else.
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• If you are having difficulty with the technology, don’t hold up the meeting by distracting other participants for solutions. Try Googling your problem. I do that with most of life’s problems.
• Speaking of distractions—just as when we used to meet in person in the good old days, let’s be cautious about using the chat for side conversations that may distract others. You can always ask for people’s contact info and continue your conversation—I’d love that to happen. Or, let me know, and I’ll do my darndest to give you a chance to share to the group.
• Please share air time and follow the guidelines under “Intentions” on this website.