The Winnemem Wintu Tribe of California is having a hard time practicing its religion now that most of its sacred sites are under the authority of the federal government.

The unrecognized tribe can no longer afford to use its ceremonial site because its costs too much. The site is located in a popular part of Shasta-Trinity National Forest and is too expensive to rent.

The latest difficultly involves a rite of passage ceremony. A 14-year-old member needs to swim cross the McCloud River as part of her initiation into womanhood.

The Forest Service says it is trying to accommodate the tribe and has issued a special use permit for the ceremony. But it can't force the public to stay away from the ceremony because it is occurring on public land.

Even if Marine Sisk-Franco makes it across the river, she won't be able to find Puberty Rock. It's probably underwater right now because the Bureau of Reclamation says it can't lower water levels in the Shasta Dam.

Get the Story:
Ceremony needs space: Public asked to respect voluntary closure in forest (The Redding Record Searchlight 7/7)
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Relevant Links:
Winnemum Wintu Tribe - http://www.winnememwintu.us

Related Stories:
Raising of Shasta Dam would destroy sacred sites (12/02)
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Tribe to speak out against raising of Shasta Dam (05/18)
Tribe fears raising Shasta Dam will destroy sacred sites (02/28)
Winnemem Wintu Tribe goes to war for sacred sites (09/14)
Wintu Tribe's ceremony will challenge dam proposal (08/31)
Officials allow tribal ceremony at Shasta Dam (8/30)