This weekend was a very heartwarming one, even though I felt like my hands were going to freeze off. Playing in the snow with everyone, and then warming up with a bowl of hot pozole, was pretty nice (even though I ran into a tree on my sled, along with Sierra who now suffers from a bruised shin).
A part of Snow Trip that really stuck with me was Cafe Night. It was a beautiful mix of songs and dances, some more traditional, others more contemporary, and all full of love and community.
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But as someone who does not identify as Native American, I've been trying to be more thoughtful, aware, and intentional in the spaces I visit and occupy. When reflecting on my experience in Tahoe- especially how beautiful the scenery is- with jagged mountains, tall trees, and soft snow- I realized I hadn't thought about whose land I was on. After some research, I found that the Wašiw people of the California/Nevada area were the original inhabitants of the Lake Tahoe area, and that while the Wašiw language is currently moribund (in danger of becoming extinct) there have been great efforts implemented (which continue to be implemented) in order to conserve it (3, 1).
I hope to continue to learn more about different indigenous cultures (although there is such a large variety, I'm sure we'll only skim the surface in class) and issues (many, if not all, of which have deep historical roots).
-Elen Mendoza
Sources:
1. https://www.washoetribe.us/contents/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washoe_people
3. https://wiki2.org/en/Washoe_people
I LOVE YOU ELEN YOU ARE NATIVE AMERICAN BECAUSE YOU HAVE ANCESTRY FROM SOUTH AMERICA
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