Winnemem Wintu Tribe complains of disruptions during ceremony

Tuesday, July 3, 2012  

The Winnemem Wintu Tribe of California says more disruptions than ever are occurring its coming-of-age ceremony.

The U.S. Forest Service agreed to close a portion of the McCloud River to boaters. But instead of helping the tribe, the decision has generated more tensions, Chief Caleen Sisk said.

"Everybody's saying it should be a victory, it's a win-win. It certainly doesn't feel that way," SIsk told The Redding Record-Searchlight.

Despite the closure, some boaters are still trying to go down the portion of the river where the tribe is hosting the ceremony. And the river is still open to land access, which has led to some threats by non-Indians, tribal members said.

Get the Story:
Winnemem Wintu says sacred ceremony marred by disruptions, threats (The Redding Record-Searchlight 7/2)

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