Winnemem Wintu file law suit and will perform war dance on banks of the American

April 17, 2009 -- Winnemem Wintu war dancers and tribal leaders will perform a traditional ceremonial War Dance next to the Sacramento River and will then march to the State Capitol building. The march and War Dance initiate the federal lawsuit the Tribe is filing, asking for compensation for damages done by federal land management policies, including the construction of the Shasta Dam.
 
The Winnemem Wintu Tribe is filing a lawsuit against Department of The Interior; Department of Agriculture; United States Forest Service; Bureau of Reclamation; Bureau of Indian Affairs; Bureau of Land Management; Ken Salazar, Secretary of The Interior; Assistant Secretary for Water and Science; Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks in The Department of Agriculture; and Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture asking for redress for decades of injustices and harm related to federal land management policies which have destroyed Winnemem cultural practices and sacred places.
 
The Winnemem began a journey to justice in 2004 with a War Dance at Shasta Dam. Today we continue that journey with another War Dance and this lawsuit. Our people are a traditional people, steeped in our culture and traditional lifeways, who have continued our cultural practices throughout the written history of the state of California. With this lawsuit and War Dance, we continue our journey to ensure our basic quality of life and freedom to maintain our traditions and culture.

Schedule of events:
 
Sunday, April 19th: 6:00pm War Dance begins at 1501 Northgate Blvd. Camp Pollock
 
Monday, April 20th: Ceremony continues on from the night before followed by address by Tribal leaders at Camp Pollock.
 
10:00 AM March from Old Sacramento to Capitol Building
 
12:00 to 1:00 PM Press Conference with Tribal leaders and community members State Capitol Location 27 West side of capitol building
 

The place is Camp Pollock - street address is 1501 Northgate Blvd, Sacramento.  Attached is a site map (we are in"Miwok" adjacent to the fire area).  
 
We have been asked if folks walking with us are to be in regalia or street clothes: if you have "Indian indicators" wear them, banners etc. fine.  We are going to caravan to Old Sac (in the parking area) and then we will walk up to Capitol Mall (we are looking at the best routes now).  This is an historic event in the history of the tribe and I am glad to share it with you all.  
 
Respectfully,
 
Michael Preston
(530) 209-1235 cell