Xa-Cho K'ut Kinest'e (Wailaki People on the River)

Kinest'e Ku-Nus, a Wailkai Redwood Canoe, has returned to the Xa-Cho or Eel River after a 170-year absence.
Approximately one hundred community members, including native elders, indigenous youth, and tribal leaders gathered in Alderpoint on June 1st, 2024 and floated to Fort Seward in celebration.
Over the last two years, members of the Wailaki (Kinest'e) tribe have been carving a traditional dugout redwood canoe with help from members of the Yurok and Wiyot tribes, who retained knowledge of construction despite attempts by settlers to destroy their vessels.
Featured Speakers:
John Acuna (Hoopa Valley Tribe / Raft Guide)
Minnie Want (Wailaki Youth with Native Health in Native Hands)
Lauren "Shobe" Britton (Wailaki Youth with Native Health in Native Hands)
Robert McConnell (Yurok Elder, Traditional Canoe Carver)
Joni Gurrola (Round Valley - Pit River / Yuki)
Nikcole Whipple (Round Valley - Little Lake Pomo / Yuki / Nomlaki / Concow Maidu, Save California Salmon / Native Health in Native Hands)
Xa’-tle T’sing “Star” Lincoln (Wailaki / Hupa - Native Health in Native Hands)
Traci Speelman (Eel River Wailaki)
Rhonda Hardy (Eel River Wailaki)
Natasha Carrico (Eel River Wailaki / Wailaki Cultural Fire)

[@2dasea]

Thank You Lauren

[@CamarisFaircloth]

Wow Lauren, you did such an amazing job of not only capturing the spirit of this spectacular day, but of also forming a tangible account which can be looked back upon for time conceivable.

[@nathanwise6385]

❤❤❤❤

[@TinaVansickle]

Beautiful Thank You for sharing I would like to know if there is anyway to get the language if it is recorded so I can learn my language I'm wailacki

[@ryanfarmer4406]

Beautiful work Lauren

[@wisellort]

Is this after destruction of the dams on the river? Maybe a little more background?

[@ryanfarmer4406]

@@wisellort not sure if you meant to reply to my comment but the Eel is still dammed, for now, this is after the genocide and enslavement of their people around 1850 that displaced the communities and way of life.