To River Lovers:
Many of you may have watched a recently created YouTube video entitled, “A Dying Napa River”: https://www.youtube.
Since then, the Mishewal Wappo Tribe of Alexander Valley among other First Indigious Tribes, gathered to walk, sing, and pray for the Napa River and a return of salmon and life.
Those who utilized or cared for the people’s water also gathered with tribal members at Wappo Park, 201 Pope Street, in St. Helena, CA for this ceremonial gathering and experience a dry Napa River
Those that attended took the tribe’s lead during the walk. Participants came with their own water, food, walking staffs, chairs, protest signs and respectfully observed the native songs, drumming, and prayer. Afterwards, they followed a walking path adjacent to the river with some difficulty due to steep banks.
The gathering with Napa County’s native community made a bold statement for the return of perennial stream flows able to support a diverse aquatic eco-system. This is so Californianscan use the water for potable purposes, navigation, rafting, kayaking, fishing, recreating, and indigenous cultural purposes, as our state law demands. The First People of this area took care of the watershed for thousands of years but subsequent colonialism has destroyed it in less than 100 years.
Swimmers, fisher-people, kayakers, tubers, foragers, naturalists, birders, and any/all who use the People’s water were welcome to experience a dying Napa River at your feet. The river has become deeply incised and few are able to see its channel as conditions currently are.
Many came and connected with the river and created critical public awareness in doing so. Enough is enough!
Chris Malan, Executive Director and
Christina Aranguren
President, The Institute for Conservation, Advocacy, Research, and Education (ICARE)