It is with great relief that the CIWC received notice of testing results of radiation contamination fallout from Japan. It has not shown to negatively affect the seaweed along our coastlines of the Pacific Ocean.
At a time when Round Houses, Tribal Big Times, Gatherings and other cultural traditional practices begin, the gathering of marine
foods that sustain our ceremonial, physical, stewardship practices, bartering, knowledge sharing, and spiritual health and well being can once again continue without fear of contamination.
Many Tribal Elders have expressed saddened refusal of gifts of seaweed for fear of its poisonous effects of radiation. As gatherers for those unable to collect for themselves, we now have a greater task to inform Tribal community members of the healthiness of our foods from the ocean. During this great unrest and uncertainty, we are humbled by the impact of catastrophic accidents and disasters from countries around the world that could have devastate Tribal cultural traditions that have endured Milena.
We applaud the Yurok Tribal environmental program for taking initiative in testing seaweed and its on going efforts to ensure public safety and the timely distribution of the results. Testing will continue next month as well. Again, we give thanks to all those that have shown us this way of life and we remain vigilant is our inherent right to gather subsistence from the Ocean. Remember to practice water safety when gathering, and give thanks to all that you use and share.
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