Mae Timbimboo Parry focused on the stories of those around her. She was a storyteller and a tribal historian who dedicated her life to preserving her community’s history and advocating for the fair treatment of Native Americans in Utah and the country.
In Short
Parry belonged to the Northwestern Band of Shoshone (pronounced Shuh-show-nee) Nation. She spent her life advocating for her community and helping to preserve their history. She understood how important it is to preserve the stories of the past while advocating for a better future.
More of the Story
Parry was born in Washakie, Utah, where the Northwestern Band lived. When Parry turned eight, she was sent away from her family to Riverside, California, to attend a boarding school for Native American children. This boarding school was one of many set up by the United States government to provide a basic education and teach Native American children how to act more like Euro-Americans. This included things like cutting their hair and stopping them from speaking their own languages or practicing their traditions and customs.
After several years at boarding school, Parry returned home and continued her education at Bear River High School in Garland, Utah. She went on to college and earned a degree in English from LDS Business College. In 1939, she married Grant Parry and together they had six children.
Oral History Traditions
When Parry was in high school, she recognized how important her cultural heritage was and wanted to help preserve it. Native American history is often told through stories of events and memories that are passed down from generation to generation. She wanted to write down these stories to help more people remember their history. She interviewed many members of her tribe and wrote down their oral histories. An oral history is a way of telling stories and sharing information through talking in an interview. The interview is recorded and then written down so that other people can read the stories too. Oral histories are an important way for people to share their stories and their point of view. Parry’s oral history interviews helped to change the way other people understood the history and culture of the Northwestern Band, especially in helping people reconsider the history of the Bear River Massacre.
Advocate for Her Community
Parry understood how important the past is, and she also wanted to help make a better future for the Native Americans living in Utah and across the country. She made frequent trips to Washington, D.C., to speak with members of Congress. Through this work, Parry helped pass new laws to end discrimination and ensure Native American rights. She worked on a national level and with the Utah state legislature to help preserve and protect Native American tribes and their histories.
Legacy
Parry received many recognitions and awards for all that she did for her community. She dedicated her life to helping people learn about and see the importance of Native American culture and traditions. Today, her grandson Darren Parry continues her work. He is a storyteller, teacher, and the former chair of the Northwestern Band. Mae Timbimboo Parry collected and preserved her tribe’s history so future generations can learn about their past and work to help make a better future.
By Eliza Carr
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