For centuries, California’s Native people were forced to hide their cultural knowledge and identities. By the late 19th century, nearly 95% of California’s Native population had been killed, and the survivors were forced to assimilate into American culture through Indian Boarding Schools and laws restricting cultural and religious ceremonies. Despite this violence, our communities found ways to protect and secretly pass on our culture to future generations.
Today, California’s Native youth can honor their ancestors’ bravery by re-engaging with their culture, reconnecting Tribal communities, and asserting their presence as Indigenous people. While Native communities still bear the scars of recent history, our ancestors left clues that can help us build strong, healthy Native families.
At Redbud’s 2024 Wisdom Weavers Summer Camp, Native middle schoolers from various Tribes gathered at Ya-Ka-Ama for a week of eco-cultural learning. For some, it was their first time meeting other Native youth. Many expressed being the only Native student in their schools and were eager to continue their new friendships outside of camp. A major highlight for one of the youth was “getting to laugh so much every day.” In our community, we know that laughter is the best medicine.
Ya-Ka-Ama Indian Education & Development Inc., a Native nonprofit in Sonoma County opens its doors for Redbud to host our summer camp. Surrounded by private land, utility agencies, and parks, Ya-Ka-Ama is a small property that Native people can access for cultural purposes, in a county with very little land available to Native people.
Here are some activity highlights from the 2024 Wisdom Weavers Summer Camp!
1. Eco-cultural Learning with Cultural Bearers
Native youth learn from cultural teacher Meyo Marrufo about dogbane and participate in making dogbane cordage.
2. Weaving Baskets
Youth learned how to weave simple twine baskets. They also learned how to identify Pomo basket plants (like willow, sedge etc.), the meaning of Pomo basket designs, and the cultural significance that baskets play in their communities. While weaving, the youth discussed the impacts pesticides have on the health of Basket weavers, and on the culturally significant plants in the region.
3. Indigenous Foods
Youth ate fire-cooked salmon and black oak acorn mush, some for the very first time! They learned about the cultural importance of these traditional foods and the threats, like dams and climate change, have on the salmon and black oak trees.
Creating spaces where Native youth can be themselves without fear of judgment, Tribal politics, or unsafe behavior is essential for healing our communities.
At the 2024 Wisdom Weavers Camp, every child:
formed healthy connections with Native adult mentors,
gained cultural knowledge and practices to support their spiritual and emotional health,
and developed a deeper understanding of their people's role in balancing our ecosystems.
We look forward to envisioning the future of Redbud’s youth cultural learning programs with the help of our new wisdom weavers!
To donate to Redbud’s youth programming, click HERE!
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