Yellowstone Valley

The Yellowstone Valley is a nation of refugees from the Old Earth. The abbreviation for Yellowstone Valley is YV (sometimes pronounced like 'eve').

The Nomadic Peoples of Yellowstone Valley is a huge, environmentally stunning nation, remarkable for its devotion to social welfare. Its compassionate, intelligent population of 311 million enjoy extensive civil rights and enjoy a level of social equality free from the usual accompanying government corruption.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Education, Social Welfare, and Religion & Spirituality. The average income tax rate is 100%. The private sector is almost wholly made up of enterprising fourteen-year-old boys selling lemonade on the sidewalk, although the government is looking at stamping this out.

The government has legalised small-scale capitalism, manufacturers are sued for almost anything not covered in their catalogue-sized manuals, the nation has opened its arms to an influx of refugees, and the military frequently holds bake sales to raise funds. Crime is well under control. Yellowstone Valley's national animal is the coyote, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the Obsidian.

Yellowstone Valley is ranked 91st in the region and 19,953rd in the world for Most Cultured.

Yellowstone Valley

Flag of Yellowstone Valley
Motto: Chæ'chiish' kha'y'sh:Chæ'ah':ghachi-n'a
YV
Region	The Lexicon
Capital	Bear Creek
Official Language(s)	chæwhawh'shush', English (see below)
Leader	TBD
Population	~26.5 million (actual*)
Currency	The Obsidian
NS Sunset XML

Geography

Official Name: Cha-ch'natunashu dh'o'hah: (Sacred Beautiful-Woman Land)

Location: The Nomadic Peoples of Yellowstone Valley occupied a section of The Lexicon known administratively only as #8. After appeal to the Lexicon government, the People walked the Land and came to an agreement with it. Later cartographic updates place the approximate location of Yellowstone Valley at 150 S, 1000 E OCS (Ozian Coordinate System).

Area: 371,056 sq. km (143,265 sq. miles)

Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Montana, slightly larger than Germany

Bordering Nations:

• Foxbat - West
• Cartwrightia - Southwest
• Celtic Queen - South
• Happycleanland - Southeast
• Nachiush' - East
• Vulrikh - North
• Tilla - Northeast

Terrain: There are four major mountain chains. The central region is rolling hills and steppes. The north-central basin dips below sea level. Two major river systems with numerous tributaries originate in the various mountain ranges. The southern mountains are much older and therefore more rolling than the younger, craggier mountains chains in the north. Broad valleys and rolling steppe plains inhabit most areas in between the boarders. Two major rain shadows qualify two regions, including the north-central basin, as arid desert. The northwestern segment - the Sacred Lands - is heavily forested and receives the most rainfall.

Climate arid to semiarid; Wet springs, dry summers and autumns, and cold winters with light to moderate snowfall

'Natural hazards' Four major mountain ranges; the northwest plateau receives enough rain to sustain thick, impassible lodgepole pine forests; two rain-shadow deserts - caustic salt flats in central north (will degrade rubber tires & shoes); steppe and badland make overland vehicle travel nearly impossible - advise using animal transportation; thin crust and thermal areas in northwest volcanic plateau

'Environmental Issues'

• Inadequate supplies of potable water in deserts
• High seismic risk in NW caldera
• Droughts
• Summer tornado watches on plains & steppes
• Spring river flooding
• Winter blizzards

Natural Resources

Land Use: tourism, agriculture, timber harvest, hunting & fishing, very limited mining

Arable Land: arable land: 19.9% (est.)

permanent crops: 1.5% (est.)

Major Crops: Corn, Winter Wheat, Spring Wheat, Beans, Summer and Winter Squash, Pumpkins;

Potatoes, Tomatoes, Some Vegetables

Livestock: :Sheep, turkey, a few beef cattle; dog & horse (very rare)

Game: (public free-range): Bison, Deer, Elk, Trout (Rainbow, Brook, Cutthroat), Birds (Grouse, Duck, Goose), Beaver, Grizzly Bear, Antelope

Minerals: coal, copper, salt, pipestone, semiprecious stones, low-grade iron ore, gold, silver

Timber Softwood: Lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, spruce, fir, cedar, larch

Hardwood: Cottonwood, poplar, maple; some oak, ash, walnut, almond

Economy

Until further numbers can be established, the following information is given toward potential governments and investors interested in the economy of the Yellowstone Valley

The economy of the Yellowstone Valley can be described as a combination of ‘Green’ and Socialist. It is the philosophy of the Yvian People that the primary purpose of government is the social welfare of ‘’all’‘ of its citizens. And since the worldview of the Yellowstone Valley includes the rocks, water, trees, animals, and even the Land itself in its definition of ‘‘People’‘, this form of economy could be described as a “Green-Red” view. Some common sayings go as such: "Economic and social justice precedes civil and political rights" and "Tranquility comes from a satisfied family."

Much of the government is concerned with the cultivation and distribution of food, water, health and medicine, housing, and education. This is where all of the trading of Yvian Obsidians goes. Private enterprise, contrary to the U.N. reports is not discouraged, but works primarily on a barter system. Nor is the owning of private land taboo, thus one cannot describe the economy as socialist or communist in the classical sense. The government simply provides housing side-by-side with privately constructed houses. Liaise-faire capitalism as an ideology is viewed as a corrupt, inhumane form of economics, but the state does not view a free market as ‘evil’. In fact, there would be little the Yvian government would have against Adam Smith’s theories, but large corporations whose status on the old Earth-That-Was was on par with that of People is viewed as an abomination against ’‘Cha-h’ohkti[/SIZE]’‘ (a word that means something like ‘‘Creator’‘ and ‘‘Creation’‘ in English.).

Independent Market Analyses

NSTracker:Yellowstone Valley Economy (endorsed by the Yvian government)

G.U.S.T.O. Report (Enter ‘‘Yellowstone Valley ‘‘for information)

Sunset Experimental Calculator (Enter ‘‘Yellowstone Valley ‘‘for information)

‘‘‘Note’‘‘ The ‘‘Rogue State of the Lost nachiush'‘‘ has a trade relationship whereby large amounts of aid is sent directly to the Yellowstone Valley government. Details pending

Human Development Index (HDI): TBD

• Income Tax: ~100%
• Tech: Developing

People and Population

General

• Population: TBD
• Capital: Bear Creek
• Ruler: none (council of matrons and elders)

‘‘‘Age Structure:’‘‘ TBD

‘‘‘Population Growth Rate:’‘‘ TBD

‘‘‘Gender Ratio:’‘‘ TBD

‘‘‘Infant Mortality Rate:’‘‘ TBD

‘‘‘Life Expectancy:’‘‘ TBD  :mad:

‘‘‘Ethnic Groups:’‘‘ TBD

‘‘‘Religions:’‘‘ TBD (Native, Catholic, Baptist, other Christian)

‘‘‘Languages:’‘‘ Official Languages: Yvian, English. Others: Respective Native languages

‘‘‘Literacy:’‘‘ 100%

‘‘‘Abbreviated Form of Address:’‘‘ Yvian(s) (Pronounced like: ===’‘EE-vee-un[/SIZE]’‘)

Diplomacy

The YV is primarily focusing on establishing a nation in The Lexicon (not to be confused with the region known simply as Lexicon) while cultivating relationships with other Lexiconian nations.

List of Nations with Formal Diplomatic Relations to the Yellowstone Valley

• The Queendom of The Celtic Queen (Ambassador: pending)
• The Lost nachiush' (Ambassador: pending)
• The Insanity of Insane Power (Ambassador: pending)
• The Holy Empire of King Rat (Ambassador: pending)
• The Allied States of Rothalia (Ambassador: pending)
• The Republic of the G-Rebellion (Ambassador: Sun Deer)
• The Federation of Pragmia (Ambassador: pending)
• The Allied States of Rothalia
• The Holy Empire of Saint Oz
• The Commonwealth of Inglo-Scotia

---

• The Holy Republic of Erhir
• The Sultanate of Kuze
• The Dominion of Tillia

---

• The Confederacy of Eluvatar
• The Constitutional Monarchy and Her Associated Colonies of Myroria
• The Commonwealth of Kronemonteland

Treaty Organizations

Pan-Lexicon Treaty Organization (PLTO) (Chief Elk-Singer - Liaison)

• The Republic of the G-Rebellion
• The Commonwealth of Inglo-Scotia
• The Federation of Pragmia
• The Allied States of Rothalia
• The Holy Empire of Saint Oz
• The Nomadic Peoples of Yellowstone Valley

The Three Nations Resolution Treaty (Chief Two-Hawks - Acting Ambassador)

• The Holy Republic of Erhir
• The Sultanate of Kuze
• The Dominion of Tillia
• The Nomadic Peoples of Yellowstone Valley (reciprocated)

Communications

TBD

At the present moment, communications in the Yellowstone Valley is poor. Visiting nations are encouraged to use their satellite communications networks for secure and reliable communication.

There is a very limited internet (.yv) within Bear Creek, but the network only extends to the local government buildings, retail, and the University. No line exists out of the country as yet.

Phone lines and television are nearly non-existent. Rudimentary telegraph lines are strung between the major towns, but are easily downed due to weather. Common AM Radio is the only real available way to communicate to the People over long distances. A private courier service - a type of 'Pony Express' - also exists to deliver telegrams and is remarkably reliable as a mail service

Government

Government Type: Democratic Eco-Socialist Adhocracy

Earth Clan Council

(Agriculture - Produce): Chief Marcus St. John-Badger

Wolf Clan Council

(Agriculture - Livestock & Game): TBD

Crane Clan Council

(Water): TBD

Bird Clan Council

(Natural Resources): TBD

Eagle Clan Council

(Government & Social Administration): Head-Matron She-Ponders-the-Moon (‘‘Ch'nin'iyæ'n'hæ Chæ'iæ'chi'ah:’‘)

Bear Clan Council

(Military & Security): Chief Takes-Ten-Horses

Fish Clan Council

(Education & Technology): Chief Edward Cutthroat

Medicine Clan Council

(Health): TBD

Beaver Clan Council

(Housing & Development): Chief Sky Antelope O'Leary, Jr.

Coyote Clan Council

(Diplomacy & Foreign Trade): Chief Two-Hawks

Deer Clan Council

(Manufacturing, Labor, & Economy): Matron-Chief Dawn Fast Horse

Sunset Clan Council

(Arts, Entertainment, & Communications): Matron-Chief Sarah Johnson ===Crow Clan Council===(Religion & Spiritual Counsel): Elder-Chief Walking Bison (‘‘Sus'n'iya'‘‘)

<color=red>’‘‘Note’‘‘ </color>: All chiefs must be sponsored by a Council Matron.

Defense

Until I get more 'normal' stats, here is some useful trivia about YV defense.

1. There is no government military. It is the philosophy of this government (constitution pending) that government has no place in sponsoring a military.
2. Despite no government military, defense consists of a volunteer army, something akin to a militia. These are the Coyote Warriors, who are something like marines or recon units.
3. The first job of a Coyote Warrior is information - assess the situation and report it to the sponsoring community matron.
4. A Coyote Warrior does nothing without the consent of the community matron who sponsors the local War Society. However, immediate emergency defense in case of a surprise attack is permissible. Any action of a Coyote Warrior is subject to the matron's approval or disproval, so, even if a mistake is made, every Warrior is subject to the decisions of the clan matron.
5. Since the civilization of Yellowstone Valley is comparatively primitive and its economy is "imploded" the most common weapon is a simple hunting rifle - 22's and 306's mostly. Secondary weaponry consists of various pistols and handguns, spears, bows and arrows, hatchets, coup-sticks, clubs, and knives.
6. While the lack of sophisticated arms may seem to be a problem, stealth is the first objective of the Coyote. Many Coyote Warriors have performed covert acts or actions deemed 'guerilla tactics' by the less creative nations who prefer a more 'civilized' approach...like an atom bomb.
7. Since War Societies are 'secret' in nature (‘‘private ‘‘is a better word) there is no good estimate as to how many Coyote Warriors that Yellowstone Valley has. Both men and women are part of the local War Society, so gender is not an accurate determiner. At best guess, anywhere from 3% to 33% of the population could rise to the occasion of defense if necessary.
8. The Council of Matrons and Elders, being absolutely transparent in all areas of government, has no offensive strategy at this time.

Land Forces

none

Aerial Forces

none

Naval Forces

none

Special Ops

Twenty-three thousand known Coyote Warriors - volunteer equivalent of scouts armed with various rifles, knives, bows & arrows, or any miscellaneous items.

Reserve

unknown

Civilian Defense

Those who have basic hunting rifles will sometimes use them in defense or on raiding parties. Note to all nations: Raiding parties occur without the official government's consent.

Transportation

Highway Transportation

Roadways: TBD km <color=red>Note:</color> The road from Bear Creek to Coyote is paved and in moderate to poor condition. All other roads are unpaved. Due to the many hazardous conditions in Yellowstone Valley, animal transportation is recommended. (i.e. horse)

====Railway Transportation==== ‘‘‘Railways:’‘‘ TBD ‘‘‘[color=red]Note:[/color]’‘‘ A railroad is currently being constructed from Bear Creak north to Diamondback and south to Coyote

Air Transportation

Airports - with paved runways: 1 (Bear Creek) Airports - with unpaved runways: 3 (Coyote, Diamondback, Black Pines) Heliports: 4 (Pipestone Pass, Coyote, Diamondback, Black Pines)

Pipelines

Pipelines: none

Navigable Waterways

Waterways: Yellowstone River (km TBD)

Maps of Yellowstone Valley

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Biomes

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• Note: Some UN supplied data inaccurate to actual Yellowstone Valley data

A Brief History

Formation

No one knows how it happened. There are rumors and anecdotes…tales that it came from the military and others claiming it came from the jungles of the Old Earth…but no one really knows. All we know is that it happened, and we are here to tell the story.

At first, the sickness started in the cities. The first I remember was Hong Kong, but it could have been Rio de Janeiro or New York or Paris. Like a flame to a dry forest, it came…and it consumed. There were many deaths in the region of the Yellowstone Valley, but nowhere near the percentages of those in the big cities. I had heard my grandfather speak of such things with my People before…of the times when the smallpox or the cholera came and destroyed the old ones and the children. But, for some reason, like the angel of death in those old stories of Moses, it passed over us. Some say it was precisely because of the prayers of the old ones and the medicine-keepers.

We called the sickness "the Zero Virus" though we do not know if it was a virus at all. We called it that because that was the year we started again at zero. The civilizations and governments of the Old Earth shriveled like a rotting carcass. Some of the old ones say it is because the Earth was tired of being disrespected, and she simply disowned her children. Others say it was the result of a bio-engineered weapon gone bad. All we know for certain is that we were alone for several seasons…we, the survivors of the Zero Virus.

The remaining tribal governments of the region came together. We were Crow and Cree, Cheyenne and the United Sioux of the Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota. There were Ojibwey and Métis from the North, and Shoshone and Salish from the West. There were Blackfoot and Blood and many, many others.

And there were the old White governments…the people from Missoula and Great Falls and Billings, from Helena and Butte, from Cheyenne and Sheridan, and even from Denver and Salt Lake City. From the East came the whites from as far as Minneapolis, and from the West as far as Seattle. From the South came people as far away as Tucson. Why did they come here, to this valley? Why, when so many other places were so much more hospitable? We do not know. All we know is that they came, and we provided hospitality, as was the way our ancestors taught.

I was a child then, son of a French-Irish-Cree from Rocky Boy and a Czech. We all lived in the Yellowstone Valley…all two-hundred thousand of us remaining. The region was dry, but we grew corn up and down the fertile valley using irrigation. We used the abundant coal while we still could maintain the power stations, but that soon gave way to wind energy… plentiful on the Montana plains, and we used the coal for heating.

It was during this time that the animals came back…the deer and bison and elk flowed out of the mountains and the National Park. And the bear and wolves and coyotes followed. We supplemented our corn, beans, potatoes, winter and spring wheat, melons, and squash with game and fish…mostly trout. A few dairy cows and many chickens – preserved by those that remained – were the source of some dairy, but the beef cattle were not hardy and died in the next harsh winters of our land.

Culture

When I became a young man, one of our chiefs – for we have no king or president – Sus'n'iya' (Walking Bison), who was well respected, came before the council. He convinced us that it was not good to be alone…that we needed to find other people. After much talk, we decided to look for others. At first, we came to the place the people there called West Pacific. But in that place, we heard of a place…this one called Lexicon.

And so, my people have come to walk this land, to look at its People and its customs. We agree with some things, and do not agree with others, but it is a good place. Our greatest value has included respect…a motto-word of your nation.

Our nation is still new, and our ways are still untried. There are many cultures within our nation, and we have many problems and challenges that face us. Some of us are still in mourning for the people of the Old Earth, and some of us are hungry for the things of the new lands around us. Until we have been accepted among your people, we are nomads and wanderers. We seek trade and food. And we seek peace. But, most of all, we seek to share the good talk…the good stories of this Land. As refugees from the Old Earth, we bring the Land and Language, the religion and stories of our People with us.

Policy and Aims

The Yellowstone Valley is primarily focusing on establishing a viable nation, cultivating relationships with other Lexiconian nations, and developing a sustainable economy.

News

• The People of the Yellowstone Valley has wandered into the Lexicon in search of refuge
• Economics: Imploded!
• The First Embassy is Established!!! (10th Moon, 1st Winter)
• The Yellowstone Valley People receive regional recognition.
• The Yellowstone Valley People are officially given their Land in The Lexicon
• The Yellowstone Valley joins the Native Senate
• Founding Member of PLTO