Northern Californian Native Americans

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On Wednesday April 30, 2008 I had the pleasure of attending a lecture about Northern Californian Native Americans. The presenters were of Cherokee decent but also had mixes of several other tribes including Mechoopda, Konkow, and Nomlaki. Many of us who have been around CSUC may recognize some of these names as some of our buildings and dormitories are named after these local Northern Californian Native Americans.

                The lecture was honored with a tribe elder, the elder’s sister, the elder’s daughter and granddaughter. All four of these individuals live on the Grindstone Reservation in Northern California.  I was fascinated to hear that a meal was prepared for them using traditional Native American recipes including baked rabbit, fry bread, peach cobbler, and squash blossoms. It is customary in Native American cultures that elders never make their own plates.

                During the meal we discussed how government regulations are regulating their berry picking, deer hunting and acorn collecting. These regulations and the spraying of pesticides have made it difficult for the tribe’s people to make some of their dishes including Acorn Soup. They indicated they desire to keep their traditional way of preparing, making and hunting food but with the government regulations they are moving towards more of a contemporary American diet.

                My food friend is part Native American, it was interesting to hear about some of the heritage of his culture and where his family has come from. It also in some ways puts into perspective some of the actions that some tribes have done, mainly dealing with Indian Gaming Casinos, where in which, with all of the government regulations it may seem to some people that this was their only way to make some money and try and keep your tribe running and working.