Tribal Headquarters

Pastor Rachel generously offered to take us on a tour of Chiloquin and view some important sites around the area. Our youth, hungry for knowledge emphatically agreed. After our experience in the very "foriegn" service we attended on Sunday, I had some anxiety about what we would hear along the tour. I find it boggling to my mind how a people so abused by our government through out our history can be so gracious. I kept thinking about the cost of living these people have been forced to live in and how they can possibly rebuild the once great culture that existed before. After speaking with Alan Foreman, the leader of the Klamath tribes, (I spoke to a leader of a nation, wow) we began to see the very slow but sound plan to reclaim the lost lands and restore tribal fishing rivers. Throughout the tour, our youth exhibited a quiet awe that manifested itself in empathy for their people and made our work for the their children much closer. I myself feel humbled by their demonstration of Christ's teaching in peaceful action plan to reclaim their land and rights; and the distance between conservative and liberal disappears when we begin to deal with real peoples lives.
-Lorenzo
Our visit to the tribal headquarters yesterday opened my eyes to how much the Klamath tribes are progressing--they continue to carry on ancient traditions and to preserve their history. Upon first stepping inside the new building, we saw beautiful basket collections and a row of portraits of wizened, fierce-looking Klamath women. In their eyes I saw the deep pride they had for their tribe and for their way of life, and a steadfast, unfaltering resolve. To the other side was a display case about diabetes--a disease that is impacting many, many natives especially (earlier we had learned that obesity and diabetes are so common in American Indians partly because of the lack of nutrition in government food handouts. What struck me most was when we walked into the large conference room where the General Council votes. On the right was a large poster detailing the many, many injustices the Klamath people have faced since their creation here millenia ago. I greatly admire the ability for these natives to rise above such a long, painful history of oppression and persecution. All of the youth were stunned. It made all of our concerns seem so trivial in comparison. I am so glad I can help this community. We all are deeply appreciative of this amazing opportunity. Peace out for now.
- Chris