September 2024
NATIVE AMERICAN DAY REDDING RANCHERIA
California Native American Day celebrates the distinctive culture of the Native American people indigenous to California and calls attention to their triumphs and struggles that comprise their rich history.
California designated the fourth Friday of September in 1998 as California Native American Day to dismantle the misconceptions about California Indians. Previously, students were led to believe California history began with the arrival of the first explorers and lacked a fundamental understanding of Native American’s existing society. Native populations across the country were seen as primitive and were too often associated with stereotypes like teepees and drums.
Education in K-12 schools and community colleges has since evolved to entail the extensive history of the many tribal groups in California. We now have programs and conferences each year on California Native American Day to continue educating our communities.
For more information and events, please visit nativeamericanday.org
EVERY CHILD MATTERS DAY
REDDING RANCHERIA
“Every Child Matters Day,” often referred to as Orange Shirt Day, is observed annually on September 30th in Canada and has recently gained popularity for indigenous people in the U.S. The day serves to honor and remember Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools, where they experienced cultural suppression, abuse, and, in many cases, death.
The origin of the day is tied to Phyllis Webstad who is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band), and at the age of six, had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at a residential school. This orange shirt has since become a symbol of the stripping away of Indigenous culture and identity. The color orange represents how the Indigenous children felt— worthless and insignificant due to their treatment at these institutions.
Orange Shirt Day also coincides with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a holiday established in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. This day is dedicated to acknowledging the tragic history and lasting impacts of the residential school system, as well as promoting ongoing reconciliation efforts
By wearing orange, individuals show support for survivors and their families, acknowledge the historical injustices, and commit to ensuring such atrocities never happen again
2024 CULTURAL CAMPOUT
REDDING RANCHERIA
Cultural Camp is a cherished time when Tribal Member families come together to honor their Native heritage and traditions. Every other year, we gather for a multi-day celebration filled with cultural activities that strengthen our bonds with each other and our ancestral roots.
This year’s Cultural Camp was at Hat Creek Resort. At the camp, families experience a variety of traditional practices, starting with the joy of coming together and preparing for the days ahead. We engage in meaningful activities such as flint mapping, making acorn soup, creating medicine bags, and learning the ancient art of traditional cordage making. Kids participate in the construction of cedar houses, a symbol of cultural knowledge passed down through generations.
The camp is also a time of celebration, with dancers performing to the beat of drums, filling the air with rhythm and movement that connects us to our ancestors. As the campfire burns, we reflect on the importance of gratitude and remembrance—honoring those who came before us, the resources given to us, the things that nature has provided, and the heritage we carry forward.
This gathering not only strengthens our cultural identity but also fosters a sense of community, unity, and belonging. It is a time to embrace who we are, teach our children, and ensure that the stories, skills, and spirit of our people continue to thrive for generations to come.
The Redding Rancheria Tribal Members.
Making Traditional Acorn Soup Making Birdhouses
Family Time = Smiling Time
Family + Fishing = FUN
Cultural Camp Commitee Representing
TRIBAL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT – MICHAEL POTTER REDDING RANCHERIA
Redding Rancheria is proud to celebrate Michael Potter, a dedicated and determined member of our Tribe, who has taken a significant step toward realizing his dream of becoming a lawyer. Michael recently began his law school journey at the prestigious University of California, Davis, a testament to his hard work and unwavering commitment to his goals.
Growing up, Michael faced numerous challenges, frequently changing schools and lacking consistent role models. Despite these obstacles, he was inspired by those in positions of authority who made decisions that shaped his life and the lives of others. This realization sparked a desire in him to pursue a path where he could gain the knowledge and power to help others, a path that led him to law school.
Michael’s journey was not an easy one. It wasn’t until his time at Chico State that he truly began to believe that law school was a feasible goal. There, he developed the ability to reason through complex issues, apply himself diligently, and embrace the rigorous demands of academic life. His wife, Kate, played a crucial role in his success, offering support and encouragement as he navigated the challenges of higher education. With her help and the support of his family and community, Michael achieved academic excellence, which ultimately led to his acceptance at UC Davis.
The Redding Rancheria has been important to Michael in his journey, providing essential resources that have paved the way for his success. Michael is particularly excited about the opportunities at UC Davis, which is ranked third nationally for its environmental focus, a subject close to his heart.
As Michael begins this new chapter, he remains deeply committed to his community and culture. He is passionate about preserving Indigenous knowledge and practices, particularly in areas like sustainable agriculture and environmental management. Michael’s journey is a source of inspiration for the younger generation, and he is eager to see them achieve their dreams, just as he is pursuing his own.
Michael Potter’s story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved with determination, support, and a commitment to one’s community. As he continues his studies, we are confident that he will make a significant impact, both within the legal field and for the Redding Rancheria. We congratulate Michael on his achievements and wish him continued success in his journey.
OUT OF THE DARKNESS – SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS WALK
REDDING RANCHERIA TRIBAL HEALTH SYSTEM
We love spreading awareness at as many local events as possible. We thank you and appreciate the Lotus Center, Chris Diamond with Shasta County, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for allowing us to serve and support for the event. It was amazing to see such a great turnout especially after a three years hiatus. Here is to supporting each other and recognizing the value we bring to the planet. Remember to be kind to one another and share respect with all.
Suicide Facts
Over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2022. One death every 11 minutes. Many adults think about suicide or attempt suicide.
13.2 million seriously thought about suicide.
3.8 million made a plan for suicide.
1.6 million attempted suicide.
*facts taken from - www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html
Case Manager Kasey Martindale Serving and Supporting our Community
A Moment of Silence for the Loved and Lost
HEALTHY COOKING CLASS
REDDING RANCHERIA
Health is the wealth of our people. The food we select, eat and repeat determines how we feel in the future. It is with that in mind that we hold events like our healthy cooking class. We cover nurtrition information, recipes and healthy substitution to cater to individual tates, and cooking tips to make eating healthy more enjoyable. We believe these efforts lead to better choices and create a community to support one another in their healthy journey to better living.
We recently held our last class of the year and the class choice was the vegan inspired, Lentil Bean Shepherd’s Pie.
The Youth Serving the Elders Taste Test Time with Phil
Kid Approved!!!!!
Healthy Food Fules Our Day!
Healthy Food Brings Us Together!
Dietician (Chef) Blake Lamkin with The Shepards Pie.
Classroom Learning
CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECK
REDDING RANCHERIA TRIBAL HEALTH SYSTEM
First 5 Shasta and the California Highway Patrol invited the Redding Rancheria to participate in Child Passenger Safety Week. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians hosted a car seat safety check on Saturday, September 21st at San Francisco Deli for any parents who wanted to ensure that their car seat was installed correctly. This was a great opportunity to provide parents with helpful information about passenger safety while also running safety checks to ensure that the children of Shasta County are traveling in the safest possible manner.
Phil Stone Ensuring Safety is Put FIRST!
Highway Patrol Shares Knowledge With Parents.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Emma Boydstun
September 2024
Please help us congratulate Emma Boydstun for being named Employee of the Month for September 2024! Emma received this award for the following reasons: Emma is a certified event planner, who demonstrates outstanding skills in organizing and executing a range of events.
Her responsibilities include managing weekly Tribal Council meetings, monthly Win River Governing Board Meetings, and numerous annual events, all of which are handled with exceptional efficiency and precision. While employed by the Tribe, she has consistently shown a high level of dedication and hard work. She ensures the successful execution of all assigned tasks and events, reflecting a strong commitment to the tribe’s goals and activities. Emma is known for her remarkable ability to remember and cater to the specific preferences of colleagues and council members; she excels in communication and does excellent work. She effectively addresses and corrects mistakes, ensuring all tasks are completed with high accuracy and attention to detail. Thank you, Emma, for being an example of dedication and focus. We appreciate your spirit and are thankful you are a part of the Tribe!
Congratulations Emma!!
