Treaty of Ruby Valley (1863)

The Treaty of Ruby Valley, formally titled "Treaty with the Western Bands of Shoshone, 1863," is a treaty signed between the United States government and the Western Shoshone Nation in 1863 at Ruby Valley, Nevada. It aimed to secure safe passage for settlers and the transcontinental railroad through Western Shoshone territory, as well as to establish peace and friendship between the two parties.

The treaty allowed for the construction of transportation routes, including wagon roads, telegraph lines, and railroads, across Western Shoshone lands. It also permitted the establishment of military posts and mining activities. Crucially, the treaty did not explicitly cede ownership of the land to the United States. The Western Shoshone maintained that they only granted rights of way and use, not permanent transfer of title.

The Treaty of Ruby Valley has been a source of ongoing controversy and legal dispute. The Western Shoshone Nation continues to assert their aboriginal title to their ancestral lands, arguing that the treaty did not extinguish their ownership. They have pursued land claims against the U.S. government for decades, based on the argument that the government has illegally taken their land and resources without proper compensation. The Indian Claims Commission and later the Indian Claims Court awarded a monetary settlement to the Western Shoshone in the 20th century, but many members of the nation have refused to accept the payment, maintaining that accepting it would be tantamount to relinquishing their claim to the land.

The interpretation and enforcement of the Treaty of Ruby Valley continue to be debated, highlighting the complex and often fraught relationship between the U.S. government and Native American tribes. The treaty remains a central point in discussions about land rights, sovereignty, and historical injustices faced by the Western Shoshone people.