“The Women Who Saved History”
“The Women Who Saved History” is a monthly 30-60 minute podcast focused on telling the stories of the many women who have dedicated their lives to preserving the history of the Silver State. Currently, there have been 20 women throughout the state that we have identified, including eight deceased women. Many of our historical institutions are the outcome of their work. Acknowledging these women has long been overdue. We are excited to celebrate them and their accomplishments with our first podcast series.
This program is funded in part with support from Nevada Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In addition, we thank Caesar's Entertainment for their sponsorship of this podcast series. Without these sponsors support, this podcast would not be possible.
“The Women Who Saved History”
Mary Gibson: Librarian and Archivist Activating to Document, Collect and Share
The U.S. government’s relationship with Indigenous peoples is long and fraught, and its impact is still deeply felt today. In this episode, we’re joined by Mary Gibson, founder and executive director of the Noowuh (Shoshone) Knowledge Center in Nevada, a Nevada-based nonprofit focused on cultural preservation. A Western Shoshone enrolled with the Te-Moak Tribe, Mary is also a librarian and archivist dedicated to preserving the Noowuh language, culture, and history. In our conversation, she shares her archival work documenting the stories of the Western Shoshone people, including standout collections like the papers of Mary and Carrie Dann, two elder land activists. We also explore the Ruby Valley Treaty, signed between the U.S. and some Western Shoshone, and how its legacy continues to shape today’s land disputes. As we wrap up, Mary reflects on what fuels her preservation efforts, the work that still needs to be done, and the community that has supported her along the way. Tune in for a rich conversation on Indigenous history, activism, and cultural memory in Nevada with Mary Gibson.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Mary’s Western Shoshone and Mexican heritage, her upbringing in Elko, and her family.
- Her thirst for knowledge and the steps she took to continue her education while raising kids.
- How she earned her Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MSLIS) degree.
- Her former professor, Dr Anastasia Weigel: How she inspired Mary to become an archivist.
- Details of the collections that Mary was able to acquire when she returned to Elko.
- Records from land activists: how they are being used in the fight against the US government.
- A breakdown of the Ruby Valley Treaty and its significance to the Western Shoshone people.
- How Nevada residents have benefited from Mary’s preservation work.
- Some of the collections at the Noowuh Knowledge Center, founded by Mary.
- Ways that Mary has been acknowledged for her work and the positive effects of this.
- Key challenges Mary has faced in preserving tribal material.
- Why she founded the Noowuh Knowledge Center: Connecting Western Shoshone with their heritage.
- Fundamental historical and cultural facts that Mary would like to impart to listeners.
- Preservation work that still needs to be done, including indigenous food and plant traditions.
- Acknowledging the friends, family, and mentors who have helped Mary on her journey.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Cultural Heritage preservation | Noowuh Knowledge Center
Great Basin Research Watch | Team
'Historic records document decades-long struggle for native lands by Western Shoshone Tribe '
‘The Dann Sisters: Searching for Reciprocity for the Western Shoshone’
