There are few upsides to the somber socioeconomic realities that have long saddled the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, who despite federal and state theft of their lands, have continued to survive in the region.

Last year, however, the Wind River Development Fund identified one silver lining: The lack of economic vitality made the region eligible for the federal “Recompete” pilot grant program, which targets areas where prime-age (25-54) employment significantly trails the national average.

By Mike Koshmrl