Ceremony
Saturday, October 11, 2008 We would like to inform you of an exciting opportunity to lend your support to our local Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe. Before being decimated and displaced by the Gold Rush, the Maidu conducted a ceremony to celebrate and give thanks for the return of the salmon to their ancestral waters each fall. Now, after an absence of 158 years, the Tribe's “first salmon” ceremony will once again be seen on the banks of the South Fork of the Yuba River. The ceremony will constitute a significant milestone in the Tribe's ongoing efforts to restore its culture and preserve its identity. And, just as importantly, it will bring the Indian and non-Indian communities together to begin healing the wounds that we all bear that are the legacy of the Gold Rush. You are invited to join the Tribe on Saturday, October 11, for this historic event. The day will begin with a sunrise ceremony at approximately 7:00AM on the south bank of the Yuba River just below the Highway 20 bridge. Immediately afterwards, a member of the tribe will set out to spear a salmon at a downstream location, from where the salmon will be brought back to the site of the sunrise ceremony, if all goes well, by 8:30AM. At that point, the salmon will be relayed by selected runners to the Corps of Engineers boat launching ramp at Englebright Reservoir, arriving at approximately 10:00AM. From there, the salmon will be carried by boat to the mouth of the South Yuba River, and from there by foot to Bridgeport State Park, where the salmon ceremony will be held, beginning at about noon. You can support the Maidu by being present at both the sunrise ceremony at the river and the salmon ceremony at the park. Also, you can run in the salmon relay, either as a carrier of the salmon, or in support of the salmon carriers. Or, if you have a boat, you can accompany the boat across Englebright Reservoir. Those carrying the salmon will do so under special conditions set by the tribe. The total run distance is approximately 7.5 miles. If you are interested in being a runner, please contact the South Yuba River Citizen's League (SYRCL) at 530-265-5961 for signup information. Following the ceremony at Bridgeport State Park, there will be speakers, drumming and dancing. Salmon will be grilled and provided to attendees while supplies last. You are encouraged to bring your own food and beverage as well. However, please be respectful of the fact that this is a DRUG AND ALCOHOL-FREE EVENT. You will have an opportunity at the park to learn about the Indigenous People's Day events taking place that weekend and of the Maidu memorial sculpture and park being planned for our area. The following organizations are supporting this event: SYRCL, the Sierra Fund, Sierra Nevada Deep Ecology Institute, Yuba Watershed Institute, and California State Parks. For more information about the event, you may contact SYRCL by phone at 530-265-5961 or visit send an email message to SATURDAY Program **7:10 am SUNRISE CEREMONY** –Hwy. 20 Bridge at Yuba River (Parks Bar) 11:30 am Pre-Ceremony at Bridgeport State Park Quietly proceed to the Yuba (Shade) River to wait for the hunters to bring the first Salmon across the Yuba River at approximately 12:30 pm. When the Salmon is delivered to the cook, please turn off all cameras and electronic devices as the ceremony begins. The CALLING BACK THE SALMON CEREMONY Leader J.D. Smith After taking a turn at the healing circle, please quietly proceed up the bank to the fire pit museum area. Fred Coyote Downey will lead a blessing and a spirit plate is assembled.. The Ceremony is completed when we sing a song together. Food is being served approximately 1:45-2:00 pm by Nevada Union High School Students. Music is by the Eric Ray of GVWI.Calling Back the Salmon Ceremony to the Yuba River
Welcome by Chairman Don Ryberg and Ferrell Cunningham
Sunrise Song-Bill Jacobsen
Message Fred Coyote Downey
Runners and Hunters Instructions- Grayson Coney and Jason Rainey
10:00 The Salmon Run Begins
Program Begins Above Riverbank by the Museum. Throughout the weekend, many presenters will allow photographs in a separate location.and time. Photographs are allowed,
However, please ask for permission before taking someone’s picture..
Gathering Song- Thoz Womenz Drum (Hand Drum)
Emcee: Michael Ben Ortiz
Welcome:Chairman Don Ryberg
Water song- Ferrell Cunningham
A California Indian Salmon Story- Rick Adams
Thoughts on Salmon- Merc Oliver
Recognition of Special Guests
The Calling Back the Salmon Committee reads the Salmon Resolution
Clear Creek Salmon- James Hayward
Feather River Salmon- Ren Reynolds
Healing the Land - Polynesian Friends
Preserving our Sacred Sites- Leola One Feather
Recognition of the Special Guests- Roberto Garcia
Native American Heritage Commission- Larry Meyers
Lt Governor John Garamendi
California State Parks
American Rivers Leadership- Presentation of Recognition Letter
Childrens Program- Nevada County Indian Education
Presentation of the Service Award to Indigenous People – Chairman Ryberg
Assistants Farrell Cunningham and Grayson Coney
Water Songs-
Ferrell Cunningham
Neena McNairs Drum Group
Leola One Feather
Shingle Springs Dancers
Thoz Womenz Drum
Rose Wood
Rick Adams
OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…………………………………..SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 CEREMONY AND CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHT Tribal Members Invite Community To Honor Indigenous History, Culture For more information: Michael Ben Ortiz, 530-277-3423 or Nevada City, CA. An ancient Maidu riverside ceremony called “Calling Back the Salmon” and a new outdoor amphitheater are two of the highlights of the upcoming Indigenous Peoples Days. For a ninth year, hundreds of native and non-native people are expected to gather in and around Nevada City, California on Friday, October 10th through Monday, October 13th, 2008. Members of the local Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe, and community supporters, invite people to come together to heal the wounds of the past and to celebrate indigenous culture. Joining the celebration will be several native elders and a variety of tribal musicians and educators, including Native American Music Award winner Keith Secola and elder Fred ‘Coyote’ Downey. Also appearing will be two women’s drum circles - April GoForth and Thoz Womenz. and the Feather River Singers, as well as the Shingle Springs Dancers and the Grass Valley Hula Dancers, and the Walker River Pauite Dancers. Indigenous Peoples Days are hosted by the Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe. Community supporters include: KVMR-FM, the South Yuba River Citizens League, the Sierra Fund, the Seventh Generation Fund, the Miners Foundry, the Nevada County Land Trust, Nevada County Indian Education, Native TANF, California State Parks, California Fish and Game, Shingle Springs Rancheria, United Advocates for Children and Families, and Briarpatch Community Coop. Donations will be accepted at the door on Sunday and Monday. Suggested donation for dinner Monday will be $20, $5 for children and elders. Sunday and Monday will be broadcast live on KVMR Community Radio, 89.5 FM/105.1 FM, and online at kvmr.org. The weekend is the major annual fundraiser for the Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe. All participants are volunteers. The four day event is alcohol and drug free, and open to the public. To volunteer, contact Stephanie Lorenson at the Nevada County Land Trust, 530-272-5994. For more information, call the Tsi Akim Tribal office at 530-265-0711 or 274-7497. Or, go online to: www.indigenouspeoplesdays.org, or www.callingbackthesalmon.org. BACKGROUND Nine years ago in Nevada City, on what is known as Columbus Day, several local tribal members held a candlelight vigil to honor their ancestors. At the same time, at the KVMR Community Radio studio just blocks away, local radio volunteers organized a day to honor native people. The next year those native and non native people joined forces to produce what has become four full days of healing and celebration. SCHEDULE 2008 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10th; This year’s event will open on Friday, October 10 at 6 PM with a ceremony to dedicate, to the Maidu people, a milling station (or grinding rock)Maidu ancestors. The opening ceremony will honor those ancestors and the culture that lives on. SATURDAY, OCTOBER11th: The day opens with the traditional sunrise ceremony near Parks Bar Bridge on the South Yuba River. Spirit Runners will then carry a speared salmon upstream to Bridgeport Crossing of the Yuba River, where an elder will perform the traditional renewal ceremony known as “Calling Back the Salmon,” Before the arrival of the salmon, speakers will focus on the importance of salmon. Following the ceremony will be a feast of wild salmon. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12th: At MACC, the Maidu Active Cultural Center at Burton Park, 16200 Lake Vera Road, outside Nevada City, 11 AM to 6 PM, the public is invited to a day of celebration, with dancing drumming, food and healing. The public can explore a traditional Bark House, located on land that once was a Maidu village. Ethnic dancers and singers will perform in the woods at a new outdoor amphitheater. Guests include: Rasa Em Movimento (Brasilian Capoeria), the Feather River Singers, and Maori and Sammoan body workers. Wes Jim and the Pauite Dancers will offer songs of the Ghost Dance. Some guests will also be onstage Sunday and Monday. MONDAY, OCTOBER 13th: At the Miners Foundry, Nevaa City, at 9:30 AM the public is invited to a day of discussion and celebration. From 9:30 AM to noon the focus will be on children’s activities. Young people will hear storytelling, traditional singing and drumming. Teachers are asked to register for this morning. From 12 noon to 5 PM, a series of panels will focus on key issues, including: the problem of “Mercury in Our Water, Our Land, and Our Bodies, ““Healing Soul Wounds” of the Gold Rush and beyond, and an Elders Circle. Onstage throughout the afternoon will be April GoForth and a women’s drum circle, Thoz Womenz. The annual he Richard Prout Memorial Dinner, dedicated to the late chair of the Todds Valley - Colfax Consolodated Trbe, begins at 5 PM at Miners Foundry.The feast of wild salmon, wild elk and buffalo stew, and other traditional foods closes the four day event. Yuba River Citizens League, the Sierra Fund, the Seventh Generation Fund, the Miners Foundry, the Nevada County Land Trust, Nevada County Indian Education, Sierra Nevada Deep Ecology Institute, Native TANF, California State Parks, California Fish and Game, Shingle Springs Rancheria, Michael Funk, and Briarpatch Community Coop. Donations will be accepted at the door on Sunday and Monday. Suggested donation for dinner Monday will be $20, $5 for children and elders. The weekend is the major annual fundraiser for the Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe. All participants are volunteers. The four day event is alcohol and drug free, and open to the public. Volunteers are invited to help with this event. Volunteers can contact Stephanie Lorenson at the Nevada County Land Trust, 530-272-5994. For more information, call the Tsi Akim Tribal office at 530-265-0711 or 274-7497. Or, go online to: www.indigenouspeoplesdays.org, or www.callingbackthecalmon.org. # BACKGROUND Nine years ago in Nevada City, on what is known as Columbus Day, several local tribal members held a candlelight vigil to honor their ancestors. At the same time, at the KVMR Community Radio studio just blocks away, local radio volunteers organized a day to honor native people. The next year those native and non native people joined forces to produce what has become four full days of healing and celebration. SCHEDULE 2008 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10th; This year’s event will open on Friday, October 10 at 6 PM with a ceremony to dedicate, to the Maidu people, a milling station (or grinding rock)Maidu ancestors. The opening ceremony will honor those ancestors and the culture that lives on. SATURDAY, OCTOBER11th: The day opens with the traditional sunrise ceremony near Parks Bar Bridge on the South Yuba River. Spirit Runners will then carry a speared salmon upstream to Bridgeport Crossing of the Yuba River, where an elder will perform the traditional renewal ceremony known as “Calling Back the Salmon,” Before the arrival of the salmon, speakers will focus on the importance of salmon. Following the ceremony will be a feast of wild salmon. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12th: At MACC, the Maidu Active Cultural Center at Burton Park, 16200 Lake Vera Road, outside Nevada City, 11 AM to 6 PM, the public is invited to a day of celebration, with dancing drumming, food and healing. The public can explore a traditional Bark House, located on land that once was a Maidu village. Ethnic dancers and singers will perform in the woods at a new outdoor amphitheater. Guests include: Rasa Em Movimento (Brasilian Capoeria), the Feather River Singers, and Maori and Sammoan body workers. Wes Jim and the Pauite Dancers will offer songs of the Ghost Dance. Some guests will also be onstage Sunday and Monday. MONDAY, OCTOBER 13th: At the Miners Foundry, Nevaa City, at 9:30 AM the public is invited to a day of discussion and celebration. From 9:30 AM to noon the focus will be on children’s activities. Young people will hear storytelling, traditional singing and drumming. Teachers are asked to register for this morning. From 12 noon to 5 PM, a series of panels will focus on key issues, including: the problem of “Mercury in Our Water, Our Land, and Our Bodies, ““Healing Soul Wounds” of the Gold Rush and beyond, and an Elders Circle. Onstage throughout the afternoon will be April GoForth and a women’s drum circle, Thoz Womenz. The annual he Richard Prout Memorial Dinner, dedicated to the late chair of the Todds Valley - Colfax Consolodated Trbe, begins at 5 PM at Miners Foundry.The feast of wild salmon, wild elk and buffalo stew, and other traditional foods closes the four day event. Yuba River Citizens League, the Sierra Fund, the Seventh Generation Fund, the Miners Foundry, the Nevada County Land Trust, Nevada County Indian Education, Sierra Nevada Deep Ecology Institute, Native TANF, California State Parks, California Fish and Game, Shingle Springs Rancheria, Michael Funk, and Briarpatch Community Coop. Donations will be accepted at the door on Sunday and Monday. Suggested donation for dinner Monday will be $20, $5 for children and elders. The weekend is the major annual fundraiser for the Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe. All participants are volunteers. The four day event is alcohol and drug free, and open to the public. Volunteers are invited to help with this event. Volunteers can contact Stephanie Lorenson at the Nevada County Land Trust, 530-272-5994. For more information, call the Tsi Akim Tribal office at 530-265-0711 or 274-7497. Or, go online to: www.indigenouspeoplesdays.org, or www.callingbackthecalmon.org.
THE 9TH ANNUAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAYS
Friday, October 10 – Monday, October 13, 2008
Joan Buffington, 530-913-6446, ,
