Chaltasom Cultural Restoration has two primary purposes:
-- Support for local, Earth-based cultural traditions . . . Native American, Euro-American, etc. . . .
with particular focus on historic and current practices related to ecological sustainability.
-- Support for local ecosystems,
with particular focus on historic and current natural processes related to cultural sustainability.
Our Mission is to use the ancient traditions and ecosystems of the Klamath~Siskiyou region in northwest California and southwest Oregon to help re-connect people with their inherent strengths, bringing greater harmony, balance, and happiness to our lives in these modern and somewhat confused times. Working with the sacred Earth and learning from her is one important way to accomplish this goal, and another is bridging cultures (Native-American, European-American, all our relations).
.
Our projects happen locally in Trinity County, CA, and elsewhere in the region. Recent examples are the multi-cultural ceremonies blessing mountains in the snow that are scheduled for April and May, along the Siskiyou Crest at Mount Ashland and Page Mountain. For details, see www.blessingmountainsinthesnow.org
.
Along with many others, we support inter-tribal Bear Dances in Trinity County and elsewhere in California, and local sweat lodge ceremonies.
.
Since 2005, we have developed and maintained a website for Takelma Indian elder Agnes Baker Pilgrim. Her work is of importance not only in southwest Oregon, where she has returned the Salmon Ceremony to the Rogue River, but worldwide, via The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers. For more information, go to www.agnesbakerpilgrim.org and www.grandmotherscouncil.com
.
Introduction
The vision for this organization comes from the non-denominational, intercultural, sacred sweat lodge ceremonies that have occurred over the last several years. Our ceremonies are free and open to all who wish to come together and pray for the benefit of everyone and our Mother Earth. If you are interested in attending, please contact us to discuss the agreements that we make with each other to keep this a common-ground meeting place where the Spirit is honored and everyone is comfortable.
In addition to these ongoing ceremonies, the following programs are under consideration, and will be developed pending interest and financial support.
.
Possible Programs for Human and Ecological Services
to Restore Personal and Natural Balance
.
Drum Circles and Singing Groups, Vision Quests, support for local cultural events and Tribal ceremonies
Clean and Sober Living Skills
Youth Programs
Ecological Education – hikes and pack trips
Watershed Education – river walks, salmon and steelhead monitoring
Fire Restoration – training and employing local people
- Thinning and brush control on federal and private land, to allow for the return of natural and managed fire, and the re-invigoration of native plants.
- Defensible space fuel reduction around homes
- Fuel reduction around roadsides, to protect exit routes in case of forest fires
Native Plant Education – edibles, medicinals, basketry, cordage
Native Place Name Restoration – in Chimariko, Tsnungwe (Hupa), Shasta and Wintu
Noxious Weed Management – manual control and prescribed burning
.
For a description of current activities, see the page, "What we do."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
Executive Director (unpaid at this time) Sylvia Green, 530-629-3826
.
Board of Directors For more information, please get in touch.
.
Murphy Green (Chimariko/Yurok/Hupa), Burnt Ranch, 530-629-3826
Stacey McConnell (Yurok), Willow Creek, 530-629-3683
Ed Smart (Wiyot), Lewiston, 530-778-9981
Paul Alleson, Big Flat, 530-623-2287, alleson@snowcrest.net
Robert Brothers, Ph.D., 707-601-0818, bobcat@post.harvard.edu
.
Advisory Board
Bea Alleson, Big Flat
Carol Swick, Burnt Ranch
Christy Gunther, Cecilville
Earl Huwitt (Modoc/Yahooskin/Achomawi), Willow Creek
Janet Eidsness, Willow Creek
Julie Norman, Ashland, OR
Marko Bey, Ashland
Petey Brucker, Forks of Salmon
Rosie Carnam, Arcata
Steve Gunther, Cecilville
Sylvia Green, Burnt Ranch
Tamara Jenkinson-Parish, Burnt Ranch
and more, anonymous
.
Allied Groups
Lomakatsi Restoration Project, Ashland, OR, 541-488-0208, www.lomakatsi.org
Salmon River Restoration Project, Sawyers Bar, CA, 530-462-4665, www.srrc.org
.
Financial Status
As a not-for-profit charitable and educational organization in the public interest, we have tax exempt status in California, and are applying for it on the federal level. At the present time, contributions of time or money are tax-deductible only for California. We are looking for major donors, and grants to apply for. All work now is volunteer.
Two allied groups, Lomakatsi Restoration Project and Salmon River Restoration Project, are currently involved in working partnerships with federal and state agencies, and will thus be able to assist us in possibly obtaining funding for fuel reduction and noxious weed work from the National Fire Plan and other sources.
|
Home