Nisenan Heritage Month 2021

Homa kani, everyone.

This year, as I begin to share important topics for Nisenan Heritage Month, I see that my hopes from last year still remain intact. It remains my deepest hope that the content we share finds its way through any preconceptions or previously learned information one might have. Please, take in our content with an open heart and mind.

Our telling of history, in most cases, cannot be found in a book somewhere. Some of this "new" information may be contrary to what you learned through mainstream history. It may challenge what you "know" and could bring with it, some level of discomfort; and that is ok. It's been a long time coming that the Indigenous people have the opportunity to tell their own histories.

This year we will continue to explore subjects like the Indian Boarding School system, the gold rush, and other events intent on the obliteration of our Ancient Culture. As you might imagine, these subjects can sometimes be heavy and uncomfortable. But "knowing" is what makes visible the anti-Indian legislation and litigation that forced assimilation, dissolved Tribal sovereignty, and made us the landless Tribe we are today. Unfortunately, these are not things of a long-forgotten past but continue to harm us today.

This is content coming directly from the Tribe and in some instances, is being shared publicly for the first time. There is a very fine line between the exploitation of Culture and a true and honest sharing of Culture. To be in the moment and bring visibility and hope that people can feel the value in what we have to offer without "using" the Elders and their stories or any Sacred aspects of the Culture. Navigating that is a continuous conscientious responsibility. It is especially amplified due to the fundraising aspect.

As we're curating this content, all of these things are taken into account as we bring you closer to the true history of this place. So, we continue this ride together, or for some, the ride may just begin. Check-in often, share widely, and keep an open mind.

ek'wa -

Shelly Covert, Executive Director California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project and Tribal Spokesperson Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe

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