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OUR WO R K
THEMES
L A N D BACK
Sawalmem
The Winnemem Wintu Tribe has a prophecy: if there
are no more salmon, there will be no more Winnemem
Wintu people. Restoring the Chinook salmon is their
sacred responsibility.
In October 2023, with the contribution of One Small Planet’s
$102k grant, the Winnemem Wintu Tribe reclaimed over
1,160 acres of ancestral land, marking a monumental step in
restoring the endangered Chinook salmon and regenerating
the ecosystem.
Structuring Sawalmem as a 501(c)(3) church gives the tribe
the autonomy to implement control burns, restore native
plants, and rehabilitate waterways. True restoration goes
beyond ecological recovery; it reconnects people to the land,
a process that can only thrive when the Winnemem Wintu have the freedom to practice their ceremonies on their
reclaimed ancestral grounds.
The Winnemem Wintu Tribe's ownership of their ancestral
land has been crucial for saving the endangered winter-run
Chinook salmon and restoring the surrounding ecosystem.
Salmon are keystone species essential for nutrient cycling
and ecosystem balance, supporting wildlife, plants, and water
quality. With the help of the Winnemem Wintu, the salmon
return to the McCloud River is expected to rejuvenate the ecosystem, leading to increased populations of black bears, deer,
and other wildlife. Salmon also play a crucial role in cleaning
rivers and enhancing biodiversity, contributing to sustainable
agriculture and a healthier environment overall.
Since 2016, the tribe has undertaken a 300-mile prayer journey, developed new 昀椀sh passage plans, and collaborated
with Māori and biologists from New Zealand. In May 2022,
they signed a co-stewardship agreement with NOAA Fisheries, and in the previous year, they deposited 40,000 Chinook
salmon eggs into the McCloud River from state hatcheries.
