Tahoe-Baikal Institute 

 

 

 

Washoe Culture Interpretation on the Tahoe Rim Trail

 

 

 

Project Duration:       June 26 – July 10          Project work

                                    July 13                         Project presentation

                                    July 18                         Public Project presentation

 

 

Project leaders:          Rachel Sigman

                                    Denice Morphew

 

Project participants:   Elena Sanets

Azam Murtazaev

Sam Skinner

Rasa Ščeponavičiūtė

Victor Nikitin

Maxim Sharipov

 

Project sponsors:       Tahoe-Baikal Institute

                                    Tahoe Rim Trail Association

                                    Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California

 

Project location:         Fieldwork: The Tahoe Meadows end of the Tahoe Meadows – Spooner Summit segment of the Tahoe Rim Trail

Design and Preparation of the brochure: Tahoe Baikal Institute office at DWR Community Non-Profit Center in Incline Village and the Community College at South Lake Tahoe.

 

 

Abstract

Project “Washoe Cultural Interpretation on the Tahoe Rim Trail” was carried out by the group of 2003 TBI SEE participants under the supervision of Rachel Sigman and Denise Morphew from June 26 to July 10. The main goal of this project was to increase awareness among trail users about the cultural and natural significance of Tahoe Meadows segment of Tahoe Rim Trail. To reach this goal participants had to inventory culturally and ecologically significant plant species around the Tahoe Meadows and design brochure and educational panel to guide trail users in identifying threatened plant species and to advise on trail-use methods that would help to protect these species. During the work on the project participants have visited different kinds of interpretive trails to get familiar with interpretation techniques. With the help of Environmental Specialist of Washoe Tribe they have learnt plant species with cultural, medicinal and ecological importance for indigenous American people. Among these species are Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja spp.), Willows (Salix spp.), Pinemat Manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis), Red Sierra Onion (Allium obtusum), etc. Meetings with people working in Tahoe Rim Trail Association as well as with Washoe elders completed the introduction into the topic. Based on all gathered knowledge, participants have designed the brochure and educational panel which have to been placed on the Tahoe Meadows trailhead.

 

Table of Contents

 

Abstract 2

Introduction and project background. 4

The Goals of the project 4

Description of the project 5

Description of the study area. 5

Fieldwork. 6

Results. 7

Evaluation. 8

 

 

Introduction and project background

 

The project “Washoe Culture Interpretation on the Tahoe Rim Trail” was carried out by six of the TBI Summer Environmental Exchange participants in 2003. This was the first project in TBI history that brought the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Washoe Tribe together to work on the environmental protection along the Tahoe Rim Trail and the improvement of understanding of Washoe cultural history.

 

Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA) has been working on the construction of the trail around the lake for approximately 20 years. After the Tahoe Rim Trail was completed in 2001, TRTA started the implementation of the comprehensive interpretive program for the Rim Trail, who’s goals are to promote the protection of lands through which the Tahoe Rim Trail passes and to educate trail users on human, natural and cultural history of the trail.

 

Lake Tahoe Region has always been the core of the Washoe Tribe territory. As the Washoe people lived in close relation with nature, they used a great number of plant species for utilitarian and medicinal purposes.  In additionmany plant species made an important part of the peoples diet. Currently, recreational activities alter the environment of the surroundings of Lake Tahoe, thus causing the Washoe tribe to grow concerned about the protection of plant species of cultural, ecological and medicinal importance.

 

During previous years of the TBI Summer Environmental Exchange program (TBI SEE), participants worked with both of the above organizations. In 1999, TBI SEE participants carried out the project “Trail Maintenance, Construction, and Design” together with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. In 2002, SEE participants completed a project on Meeks Meadow Vegetation Monitoring with the assistance of the Washoe tribe.

 

This current project is designed to support these two entities implementing their plans. It integrates the needs of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and the Washoe tribe. During the project implementation, the team has prepared a brochure for the natural and cultural interpretation of a short segment of the Tahoe Rim Trail in the Tahoe Meadows area that includes information about the plant species important for the Washoe tribe and underlines the need for the protection of these plants.

 

 

The Goals of the project

 

The main goal of the project is cultural interpretation of the Tahoe Meadows segment of the Tahoe Rim Trail. The project aims at increasing the awareness among the trail users of cultural importance of the trail segment and identifying of plant species with cultural, medicinal and ecological significance.

 

Main tasks of the project were:

 

  1. Identification of vegetation zones and inventory of the culturally and ecologically significant species around the Tahoe Meadows.
  2. Design of the information stand at the Tahoe Meadows Trailhead. The stand will introduce the trail segment to the trail users, provide information on the Washoe tribe and connections between the Washoe and Buryat people (Buryat region, Siberia, Russia
  3. Design the brochure that will guide the trail users through the Tahoe Meadows segment of the Tahoe Rim Trail. The brochure includes description of the Washoe tribe and presents the main vegetation zones of the trail segment with the description of culturally and ecologically important (or interesting) plant species. The trail-use methods that help to protect these plant species are also included in the brochure.

 

 

Description of the project

 

Description of the study area

 

Tahoe Meadows are situated 0.5 mile southwest of Mountain Rose Summit and seven miles from Incline Village on Highway 431. The elevation at the trailhead is 8740 feet. Trail begins at the western edge of the parking lot, runs along the highway first 700 feet and enters the forest after the crossing of Ophir creek.

 

Three main vegetation zones are encountered along this trail segment -  meadow, lower and upper forests.

 

The first zone is subalpine meadow.  This zone contains the most divers and productive plant communities found along the interpreted portion of the trail and provides hikers with great views of abundant   wildflowers.  Because of this diversity and productivity, this meadow has been an important place for the Washoe people throughout time.  In addition to being the home of plants important to the Washoe, this meadow also provided abundant forage for important game species.  Finally, a ceremony celebrating the coming-of-age of the Washoe’s youth was held here annually.

 

As the trail crosses the Ophir Creek at the southwestern corner of the meadow it heads into the lower forest where Lodgepole and Whitebark pines prevail.  Abundant stumps visible along this portion of the trail hint that the forest here is quite different than it was 150 years ago.  Most of the timber of this area was removed at the end of the 19th century to provide fuel and timber to the local booming mining industry.  Few culturally significant plants were noted along this trail segment.

 

After winding through the dense lower forest, the trail gradually climbs into the higher forest.  It is here where the trail leaves behind the Lodgepole and Whitebark pines, passes by some Mountain hemlock, and meanders through an open forest of mostly Western White pine and Red fir.  Many great views of the Lake Tahoe basin greet people visiting this forest.  A few culturally significant plants were noted in this forest.

 

Vegetation zones are demarcated in the figure below.

 

Figure 1. Demarcation of the vegetation zones.

 

Fieldwork

 

The project started on the 26thof June with an introduction to the project background, goals, and tasks by the project leader Rachel Sigman. The introductory part of the project included a tour of the Interpretive Rainbow trail at the Tailor’s creek (US Forest Service) guided by Jackie Faike, Interpretive specialist at USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and a visit to the Spooner lake Interpretive Trail at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. The goal of the visits to the interpretive trails was to learn about the techniques and signs used for interpretation of trails. Comparison of the trails revealed that different sign techniques are used at each trail since they serve different purposes. The Rainbow Trail is an educational trail targeted at families or school groups, and is therefore  abundant with signs of various sizes and shapes meant to attract attention of the visitor. The Spooner Lake Interpretive trail, in contrast, is a recreational path where few interpretation signs are located.

 

During the visit to the Meeks Bay on June 30 Denise Morphew, environmental specialist of the Wasoe tribe, introduced the project group to the former TBI project on vegetation monitoring carried out with the Washoe tribe.  With the additional assistance of the Washoe tribe’s botanist Dan Gruytak, we learned about the plant species important for the Washoe tribe, such as Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja spp.), Willows (Salix spp.), Greenleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula), Sierra Onion (Allium campanulatum) and others.

 

Fieldwork at the Tahoe Meadows started with the introduction to the Tahoe Rim Trail and in particular to Tahoe Meadows segment by the Mark Kimbrough, Executive director of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association. According to him, this segment of the trail was designed followingnegotiations with the Washoe people, as Tahoe Meadows is an area of significant cultural importance for this tribe. The importance of the meadow for the Washoe people, coupled need to protect the fragile environment of the meadow, led to the decision that the first mile of the trail be situated at the edge of the meadow running along the highway.

 

Three vegetation zones – meadow, lower forest and upper forest (described in the previous section) were categorized along the first two miles of the Tahoe Rim Trail south of the Tahoe Meadows parking lot. The plant species that were significant in the life of the Washoe people were identified with the assistance of Denise Morphew. The traditional use of these plants was also noted.

Finally, photos were taken of the vegetation zones and plant species used by the Washoe tribe, which later were used for the preparation of the brochure.

 

Fieldwork was followed by activities aimed at learning about the Washoe culture and history. During the visit to the Nevada State Museum on 7th of July, the project group collected valuable information about the history of Washoe tribe. Museum exhibition revealed more information on the Washoe way of life and their tight connection to nature. The Washoe year cycle is presented in the text box below.

 

With the goal of collecting additional information about the Washoe tribe, we met with some of the Washoe elders. At the Washoe community centre in Dresslerville, Nevada, the project group met elders Dinah Pete, Joanne Martinez and Florine. The project group was in particular interested in hearing the ‘plant stories’ – explanations about the use of different plants. Washoe elders talked about the basket weaving techniques, ways of preparing food, and about their traditions and religion.

 

Valuable information was collected during the fieldwork, the visit to the Nevada state museum and the meeting with the Washoe elders. Since the main task of the project was to produce the broshure, the project group spent several days in the computer lab designing the brochure.   In addition, a sign introducing the brochure had to be prepared (time permitting) for display in a trailhead kiosk.To accomplish these tasks, the computer programs “Microsoft Publisher” and “Adobe Photoshop” were used. The aerial photo of the trail was  provided by USFS Tahoe Basin Management Unit.

 

Text Box: Washoe: cycle of life “The Maker of All Things was counting out seeds that were to become the different tribes. He counted them out on a big winnowing tray. West Wind watched until the Maker had divided the seeds into equal piles on the basket. Then he blew a gust of wind that scattered the seeds to the east. Most of the seeds that were to have been the Washoe people were blown away. That is way the Washoe are fewer in number than other tribes”. Traditional legends explain the Washoe did not travel to the area of Lake Tahoe or Da ow a ga, which means “edge of the lake”, from another place. They came to this land in the beginning and have always lived here in harmony with nature respecting the land and seasonal cycle. Spring, which began the annual cycle, was welcomed after the cold winter months. In the early spring the Washoe families would gather at Tahoe to hunt and fish, celebrate the end of winter and give thanks to the Maker. The spring trip to Da ow a ga was the most important gathering for the whole tribe. When the Washoe reached the lake, they blessed the water and themselves because they had come to a sacred place. Summer was spent at Tahoe and in the high Mountains. Affluent streams where the trout spawn from the first of May until June or July were significant food source. Highland areas provided several kinds of plants (including medicinal) that could not be gathered anywhere else. Since they ripened at different time and places, the Washoe had to know exactly when and where they could be found. In the Fall the Washoe left Da ow a ga and moved to the sacred Pine Nuts Mountains to gather one of the most important food, the pine nuts. Since the Washoe have always considered the pine nut lands sacred, they have tried to preserve this valued part of their land. Fall was also a time of celebration and the reaffirmation of Tribal unity. Winter was spent in the lower valleys to the East. Winter was the time then the whole family could gather together making and repairing tools, clothing and houses. Little food could be gathered and the Washoe had to rely on food stores collected earlier in the year. Women usually spent the winter making baskets. Earlier in the year, they gathered the materials they would need. Making the baskets took months because the women refused to hurry or make them carelessly. As the winter drew to the end, the Washoe prepared for spring. Once again the annual cycle began. The Washoe waited eagerly for the early plants, the spawning fish and the young animals. They watched the signs of the new year in the land they knew so well.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Results

 

The overall goal of the project was the cultural interpretation of the Tahoe Meadows trail segment of the Tahoe Rim Trail. To achieve this goal, several tasks for the project were formulated.

 

Project was carried out in two stages: fieldwork and the preparation of the interpretive brochure. During the fieldwork, the Tahoe Meadows trail segment was explored. Three vegetation zones were characterized at the trail: meadow (which may be also divided into the wet and dry meadow), low forest and high forest.

 

Plant species important to the Washoe tribe were identified in the different vegetation zones; they were assigned to three categories, depending on their use for Washoe purposes:

 

 

Several important plant species were identified during the fieldwork. Sierra Onion (Allium campanulatum) and Red Sierra Onion (Allium obtusum) were observed along the trail. These wild onions were used by the Washoe for cooking. Ahigh forest plant, Pinemat Manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis), provided berries to the Washoe people for cooking with other wild beries. Certain Lupine (Lupinus spp.) species that were observed all along the trailwere used for cooking as well.

 

Plants observed in the meadow were mainly used for the utilitarian purposes. Several species of willows (Salix spp.) were particularly important for the Washoe people as they provided material for the basket waving. Corn Lily (Veratrum californicum), an abundant plant along the meadow part of the trail, was used for utilitarian purposes as well. Washoe people used leaves of this plant for wrapping food in order to prepare it for cooking. 

 

Tahoe Meadows trail segment was not found to be rich in plants of medicinal importance. No such plants were observed in the meadows or low forest area. Pinemat Manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis) that grows in the high forest vegetation zone was used to treat chest congestion by using its leaves in a smudge, or smoky fire.

 

Additional information about the Washoe peoples’ life cycle and plants of significant importance was collected during the visit to the Nevada State Museum and meeting with the Washoe tribe elders.

 

The main outcome of this project is an interpretive brochure. The brochure includes:

 

 

A sign introducing the trail segment and the brochure to trail users was also partially prepared. The sign will be placed at the Tahoe Meadows trailhead stand.

 

This project “Washoe Culture Interpretation on the Tahoe Rim Trail” has several important valuesA major outcome is the fact that the project group gained valuable experience of trail interpretation together with the useful information about the Tahoe Lake region, the Washoe tribe and their cultural heritage.

 

The project has involved two important organizations that have not before worked together: such as Tahoe Rim Trail Association and the Washoe Tribe.  An other valuable outcome of this project was the fostering of co-operation between two important entities of the Tahoe region to in order to reach their common. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association has started the ambitious task of adding interpretation to the Tahoe Rim Trail. . For this reason, the interpretation of the Tahoe Meadows is an important input to the TRTA’s work. At the same time it opens the path for the further interpretation of the Tahoe meadows and other segments of the Tahoe Rim Trail.

 

Washoe people are very much concerned about the conservation of natural sites around the Lake Tahoe, as they have always been the heartland of the Washoe tribe. At the same time they see the need to collect the valuable knowledge about nature and its treasures that has been passed from generation to generation. The work done in this project was based on these concerns, and therefore this project is a valuable contribution to the Washoe.