Sacred Trails Clean-up Project

On June 11th-13th, members of our Youth Promotion and Prevention (YPP) team selected four Two Feathers’ youth to go on a weekend camping trip up in Karuk Aboriginal territory, also known as Klamath National Forest. Where we linked up with caretakers of World Renewal ceremonies of Inaam (Clear Creek); Ron Reed Sr., Cecilia Arwood, Jason Reed, and Ryan Reed who kindly welcomed us in their homes, shared their wisdom, and provided home-cooked meals.

The main purpose of this trip was to give tribal youth an opportunity to connect with a new place, bridge access to kids who may not live in their homelands, and help Karuk families prepare for World Renewal ceremonies. In addition to the main focus of this project, skills such as land management practices like weed eating, brushing understory brush and cleaning sacred sites, healthy forms of socializing by camping in the rain, working in the rain and swimming in the rain. For some of the kids, this was their first time leaving Humboldt County, while others met family for the first time, and one had the opportunity to connect with the people and place they come from. Despite a few nights camping in the rain, two days of working hard, and two three-hour drives, there was not one complaint from our group. They were a blast to be around and we are looking forward to next time.

A heartfelt thank you to the Reed and Arwood family for donating their time, knowledge, and wisdom for our kids. This trip would not have been possible without you all. Thank you!