The Shoshones also now own a construction company doing dozens of government projects and an interior design firm specializing in LDS Church temples. The tribe also is working on biodiesel and geothermal power projects.

"We believe energy is going to be bigger than gaming ever was for the tribe," Devine said. (The Shoshone-Bannock tribe in Idaho operates a casino at Fort Hall.)

The business ventures don't necessarily provide jobs for Shoshones, but Parry said that's not the tribe's focus.

"Our main interest was to create wealth as well as train young people to take over the businesses we are operating," Parry said. Three of his grandsons are currently studying business in college.

Half of the revenues go back into the businesses. The other half is used for housing, health care, education and other services. The Shoshones do not issue royalty checks to individual tribal members as some tribes do.

Given the tribe did no economic development for 140 years, it is not looking for short-term gratification.

"For many years we would watch the other tribes succeed," said Patty Timbimboo-Madsen. "But (there was) never really any progress in (our) tribe."

When the current leadership came in about four years ago, she said, "You saw hope. I mean you saw a dream."

'Nation building'

The Northwestern Shoshone band subscribes to concepts developed by the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development.

Rather than take a quick jobs-and-income approach as many tribes do, the Shoshones strive for long-term prosperity through "nation building." The idea is to build an environment that encourages investment, helps businesses last and allows investments to pay off.

"Along with sovereignty, it is the key to economic development," according to the Harvard Project.

The Shoshones also found that placing economic decisions in the hands of a committee that excludes elected tribal leaders makes for a better-managed operation.

"The tribe had the political will to set economic development aside from tribal government. That's the key. We've really benefitted from that separation between business and politics," Devine said.

"We've saved ourselves from ourselves."

Underlying everything the Northwestern Shoshone do economically is the desire to preserve and enhance its culture. Their language is nearly extinct. Fewer than 25 native speakers remain, said Timbimboo-Madsen, tribal director of cultural and natural resources.

Becoming lost too are traditional songs and dances. Pine nuts, a staple of the old Shoshone diet, and chokecherries aren't gathered much anymore.