When the Smoke
Goes Straight Up

These stories were recorded with my amazing grandmother, Donna E. Houtz McArthur, a proud member of the Shoshone-Bannock tribe. I love her deeply and look up to her more than words can say. She’s the heart of our family, and getting to sit with her and help record these stories was such an amazing experience.

She’s carried on the tradition of her grandfather’s stories, Edward Edmo Sr. Stories passed down through generations, traditionally told during the winter months. Her book, When the Smoke Goes Straight Up, is a beautiful way she’s preserved them in writing so they’ll live on for generations to come.

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Black and white photo of Donna Houtz McArthur in traditional Native American attire with beaded patterns, standing outdoors. Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. "When the Smoke Goes Straight up."
Donna Houtz McArthur holding her book titled "When the Smoke Goes Straight Up: Grandfather's Stories," wearing glasses and a blue cardigan.

About the Author

A member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes from Fort Hall, Idaho, Donna, born September 29, 1943, is a granddaughter of Edward "Eddie" Edmo, Sr. and a niece of Rusty Houtz. Like her family she enjoyed riding horses and going to rodeos. In her younger days she participated in barrel racing, team roping and rode in the squaw and flat races. Donna was selected Miss Shoshone-Bannock Runner-up in 1964.

Donna was the first tribal member on the Fort Hall Reservation to receive an Elementary Teaching degree. She taught on and off the Reservation for over 33 years and was also the Indian Education Coordinator for the Blackfoot School District for more than 20 years. She worked with the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory on ways to improve teaching methods for American Indian and Alaska Native students.

With the retelling of these stories, Donna's dream of keeping some of the Shoshone-Bannock Indian stories alive has been realized.

Donna and her husband, Dave, currently live near Blackfoot, Idaho on the Fort Hall Indian Reser-vation.

Shoshone-Bannock Native American Women. FortHall Idaho. A group of women wearing traditional Native American clothing and accessories, including beaded headbands and feathered accents, gathered outdoors with several people in the background.
  • A woman wearing glasses holds a young child who is dressed in a light blue outfit. The child is playing with the woman's necklace. Emmerson Studios, Photographed by Emmie Edmo. Donna and Emmerson
  • Family portrait of two adults and four children sitting in front of a decorated Christmas tree. Emmerson Studios, Photographed by Emmie Edmo
  • Two women smiling, one in traditional attire with beadwork and feathers, and another in an orange patterned outfit, under a large covered structure with grass in the background. Forthall Powwow, Idaho. Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
  • A person taking a photograph of another person sitting outside with a book, surrounded by scenic hills and trees, under a blue sky.

Behind the Stories

In this behind-the-scenes clip, my grandma, Donna E. Houtz McArthur, reflects on her grandfather, Edward Edmo Sr., who inspired her love for storytelling. Hearing her retell these treasured stories is so much fun and reminds me of the rich traditions she works to preserve. Passed down through generations in the Shoshone-Bannock tradition, these stories were told during the winter months and now live on through her book, When the Smoke Goes Straight Up. We love you Grams!