This Week in Winnemem: Salmon, Unrecognized Tribes and Human Right to Water
This H'up Chonas dance photograph was feature in the Christian Science Monitor's web site.
The Winnemem Wintu have received a lot of news coverage in recent weeks, so here is a quick round-up in case you missed it.
- The Aug. 15 Christian Science Monitor, a national news magazine, included a two-page centerspread – What Makes a Native American Tribe? – about the human rights struggles of federally unrecognized tribes, and the Winnemem were a case study at the center of the story. You can also view the photo slideshow that ran online.
- On Aug. 31, California Watch, published a story about the Winnemem’s salmon project – Tribe Travels Across Pacific to Recover Lost Salmon Species. California Watch also serves as a wire service and the Redding Record-Searchlight and Huffington Post also picked up the story.
- Indefatiguable salmon and water watchdog Dan Bacher also posted a story on Alternet – UN Water Report Focuses on California Problems – about the U.N. rapporteur on the Human Right to Water’s final report on her visit to California, which included a day at the Winnemem’s village of Tuiimyali. She also took a tour of the McCloud.
The Human Right to Water, which would guarantee all people affordable access to clean water and sanitation, is an important cause to the Winnemem, as we believe the right must also include spiritual access to water.
More than 20 Winnemem, coincidentally, were at the state capitol Wednesday where we successfully helped lobby for the unanimous passage on the Senate floor of Assembly Bill 1221, which would help federally unrecognized tribes improve water quality and sanitation in their communities.
“Water is sacred, water is Life for all,” commented Caleen Sisk-Franco, Chief and Spiritual Leader of the Winnemem. “Just as all need to breathe Air, so should be the waters be for all, not just those who market water and ruin the rest in poor planning.”
Upcoming Stories:
- A cover story about the postponement of our Bałas Chonas (Coming of Age Ceremony) is currently scheduled to run in the fall issue of News from Native California.
- The Earth Island Journal‘s winter issue is scheduled to publish a long feature about our journey to New Zealand and continued efforts to bring our salmon back.
Be sure to check them out!