Camp Day 6 People of the Big River 2017

July 14, 2017

Camp Day 6

Wenix Red Elk points to Umatilla River

Umatilla River

Brook Capetillo waving to ducks

Michael McCloud filets Salmon

Brenda Lewis inserts skewers for flavor

 

This morning we went on a First Foods and Native Plants Site Tour, provided by Wenix Red Elk, Public Education Outreach Specialist. We reviewed the complexity of the river system our aqua biota, discussing the importance of the vegetation serving as a buffer and rock bars. In spring the river runs high creating a flood plain which recharges aquifers. Interesting fact that the temperature of the water when it enters the ground is the same temperature that comes out. Salmon and other aquatic species need cool clean water in order survive. We next traveled to a hatchery and meet employee Michael McCloud he is part of the Acclamation Crew. He shared that the hatchery runs from November to May, if it is a hard winter they will release the fish early so they do not risk lose due to freezing. The fish they target are chinook, coho and sockeye salmon. Michael states “we are here to help the fish”. Later that evening Michael stops by our site to show us how to filet a fish and insert sticks for smoking over an open fire. We then went to Target Medow Campground in the Umatilla National Forest to identify some plants specifically Huckleberry’s that provide traditional foods and is a traditional food gathering site. So spoke about forest management and how thinning provides forest management as it removes dead fall that is fuel in fires. Snow also provides insulation for plants and slowly waters the plants. For Indians when traditional food is lost then skills to prepare and cook foods is also lost. We then stopped at Jubilee Lake for a quick swim in the lake. Classmate Brook Capetillo is such an animal lover she is waving to the ducks. As we make our way down the mountain I am looking forward to our Yoga class provided by Acosia Elk, Dancer and Yoga Instructor. This was my first time doing a yoga work out and it indeed was a work out.I never realized I would sweat so much just working out my inner mussels. It was challenging which lets me know I need to work out more. When we returned to camp we prepared for a first feast which included fry bread, roots, salmon, elk meat and lots of other foods. It was a feast for sure! I ate so much during our traditional feast I wanted to lay down and sleep. I wasn’t able to stay up and enjoy the laser light show provided by William Elk. I awoke in the early morning hours by a thunder storm, luckily the rain didn’t last long. Our last night here, many thanks to the talented and traditional family that welcomed us as guest in their home.