Outreach to Members of the Nimiipuu/Nez Perce Tribe
Regarding the 2020 Idaho Rainbow Gathering
WHO: Two male tribal members of the grassroots group “Nimiipuu: Protecting the Environment (NPTE)”. Rainbows present: Miriam, Feather, Crystal, Apollo (Crystal’s 12 yr old son), Scott, I-Joe and Don Joseph
WHERE: One World Cafe, Moscow, Idaho (The NPTE office is in Moscow.)
WHEN: Tuesday, 28 Jan. 2020 @ 5:30pm
WHO: “Nez Perce Circle of Elders”-present: eight female elders and one male elder; One member of Nimiipuu PTE, who was present at the previous meeting, and the director of the Nez Perce Cultural Resources Program (CRP) arrived during our presentation. Rainbows present: Miriam, I-Joe and Don Joseph
WHERE: Tribal Language Building, Lapwai, Idaho
WHEN: 7 Feb. 2020 at the monthly, First-Friday 9:30am-2:00pm meeting (2020 Idaho Rainbow Gathering was on their agenda at 11 am)
Consensus # 5 of the 2019 Harvest Council held in Oct. near Boise, Id. was read at each meeting. That consensus reads –
“We encourage individuals and future councils related to upcoming gatherings to continue to develop and maintain positive relations and open communications with indigenous peoples in the areas we may gather.”
Some subjects covered at both meetings included: -who are Rainbow gatherers and their numbers at past gatherings -the objectives of the Gathering, centering on the July 4th /Interdependence Day Silent Prayer for World Peace -our council and site selection processes -the physical needs and the layout of a gathering village-Shanti-Sena/Peace Keeper objectives -mitigation of impacts: including plant, animal, water, soil, archeology, and local communities -cleanup and site restoration processes -past interactions with the Nez Perce Tribe in 1982 and 2017.
Pictures taken in 2015 and 2018 from the same vantage points of specific views within the Black Hills gathering location showing a place before and after restoration were shared at each meeting. Reports and other photos from past gatherings were also shared. Questions were answered and some comments were addressed. A request was made by the Rainbows to each group for future input concerning use of potential sites within the traditional/ceded territory of the Nimiipuu people.
Some questions, comments and concerns expressed at the first meeting by NPTE members were: “What happens there?” -impact to salmon during their spawning season in the Snake River Basin – one member said “no where near our rivers” but gathering on a creek depends upon its use by salmon. -Cultural appropriation- a suggestion was made for “cultural sensitivity classes [workshops]” -impacts to indigenous First Foods (traditional plant and animal foods and medicines), example- “trampling or picking blue camas flowers” – no formal organization is a strength, but also your biggest weakness, as in control of negative behavior.
Nimiipuu PTE members said they would provide input on sites within their traditional territory when specific, potential sites were made available to them. They said they may be able to visit sites during the scouting process or before Spring Council. We informed them that the date and place of Scout Rendezvous would be announced on 1 May and Spring Council would begin on 13 June. Viable, potential sites should be available about a week before Spring Council.
Some questions, comments and concerns expressed at the second meeting by the Circle of Elders were: -“meeting peacefully is good, but what is your mission?” -“if near a sacred area… clean up your mess” -“with no leaders, you are better organized than I first thought” -“have to know who to contact and who to blame [said with laughter]” – where do gatherers use the “bathroom”? and “I heard of some nudity” -“glad you’re documented” (after photos were shown)-the program director of CRP said “no way to go around the cultural resource personnel and the tribal executive committee”.
The Circle of Elders said they would provide input on sites within their traditional territory when specific, potential sites were made available to them. The chairwoman selected the male elder present at the meeting to be their contact with scouts and Rainbow gatherers. The dates of the Scout Rendezvous announcement and the Spring Council were provided.
A gift of South Dakota sage was presented to each group. Muffins were brought to the Circle of Elders to enjoy with their coffee. The elders said that we were welcome to attend a future meeting to further discuss Rainbow-related issues. We told the CPR director that we would ask for a meeting with his program personnel. Our personal contact info was shared with both groups.