Protecting Sacred Ceremonies: Winnemem Wintu

From Mark Anquoe:
Brothers and Sisters,
(CALIFORNIA) Our relations the Winnemem Wintu, whose land was 90% drowned out by the building of the Shasta Dam, are trying to hold their Puberty Ceremony this July up on the McCloud. They need privacy on the river during the ceremony so that they are not interrupted by speed boats and drinking.
Below is a video clip from the last Puberty Ceremony in 2006. This is the kind of treatment that the Winnemem can expect if we cannot convince the Forest Service to close the river for them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiB72fudb5I
Please take the time to sign this petition to support the Winnemem Wintu's request to get exclusive access to the river during the few days of the Puberty Ceremony.
You can find the petition at the link below.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/protect-winnemem-wintu-tribe-puberty-ceremony
Mark Anquoe
AIM-West
http://www.aimwest.info