Tag Archives: Pit River Tribe
California Native American Day Celebrated at Pit River Casino
On Friday afternoon September 28, Pit River Casino hosted a special celebration of California Indian Day for the Burney and Intermountain community. The event featured a chili cook off and fry bread contest, a delicious barbecue lunch courtesy of the casino’s River Rock Grill, a horseshoe contest, a fun play area for the kids, Native American drumming and singing, and dancing by the RISE youth dancers.
RISE Youth Dancers from Alturas
In 1968, Governor Ronald Reagan signed a resolution calling for a holiday called American Indian Day, to be held the Fourth Friday in September. In 1998, the California Assembly passed AB 1953, which made Native American Day an official state holiday, observed annually on the fourth Friday in September.
California has more than 100 recognized Native American tribes, representing a diverse cultural heritage extending back over thousands of years. The Pit River basin is the home of the Achomawi people.
Activities began in the early afternoon with a chili cook-off and fry bread contest. June Avelar won the chili cook-off and Lavenna won the fry bread contest. Each winner received a prize of $150. Lavenna, from Ganado, Arizona, is a member of the Navaho nation who is visiting the area.
Chili cook-off winner June Avelar and Fry bread winner Lavenna
The River Rock Grill also provided a delicious buffet lunch including tri-tips, chicken, mini-tacos, chili, potato salad, pasta salad, and apple crisp.
Lining up for a delicious lunch
Mike Avelar said he knew that at least 200 attended, because the casino gave out over 200 free t-shirts to commemorate the event. Many more people came who did not go to receive a t-shirt.
In addition to the food booths, Pauline Nez, had a display of beautiful hand-crafted Navaho jewelry for sale.
Throughout the afternoon children enjoyed playing in a fun area.
Fun for the kids
Later in the afternoon there was horseshoe contest with an entry fee of $20 per team. The casino added another $100 and the winning team won all.
About 3 o’clock, visitors were treated to superb drumming and singing by Thoz Womenz. The group of women drummers and singers is directed by April Goforth, director of Resources for Indian Student Education (RISE) in Alturas.
Drumming and singing by Thoz Womens
The drumming group is made up of professional women educators and medical personnel. The group began in Alturas. Since that time some of the members have moved to other locations throughout Northern California, but they continue to come together to drum and sing.
One of the drummers introduced Mr. Jimenez, a Pomo Indian dancer, and seven young RISE dancers who had come for the celebration.
Grass dance
After several songs and dances by Thoz Womenz and RISE youth, local children were invited to join in a Tiny Tot dance.
Tiny tots join the dancers
Casino Manager Mike Avelar said that they hosted the event to “celebrate and to show appreciation to our customers.”
Later in the evening beginning at 6 p.m. the Casino also hosted a Tough Man Boxing Tournament.
Filed under Burney, Pit River Casino, Pit River Country Events, Pit River Tribe, youth
Catching the Wellness Wave at the Good Medicine Health Fair
Hundreds of people came to “Catch the Wellness Wave” on Friday July 13 at the Good Medicine Health Fair sponsored by Pit River Health Clinics, Inc. The fair featured more than 60 booths giving out helpful information on a wide array of health issues including physical, mental, dental, financial and community health.
Good Medicine Health Fair
This was the 20th annual Good Medicine Health Fair sponsored by Pit River Health Service, Inc. The fair began at 10 a.m. and lasted until 2 p.m.
Health care professionals from Sacramento, Chico, Redding and throughout the North State came to set up booths and offer information on their programs and services. Topics covered almost every conceivable mental, emotional, and physical health issue from human conception to death.
Pit River Health Clinic Medical team including Kathy Kincel P.A, Cassie Bosworth MA, Dr. Bobbie Underhill, Clinic manager, Leroy Jacoby, Marla Wolfin MA. Angelina Berba MA, Amanda Metzger MA, Yarley Contreres MA, and Lewis Furber FNP
Pit River Health Service had eight booths with information of behavioral health, dental health, blood pressure and hypertension, colon health, immunization, opioid use and addiction, the Zika West Nile Virus, AIC Screening for diabetes, Children’s car seat checks, and other services.
Pit River Health Staff Members
Pit River Health Senior Nutrition
Mountain Valleys Health Clinics and Mayer’s Memorial Hospital District were both represented as was Mercy Medical Center. Partnership HealthPlan of California that oversees Medical was present to inform people about assistance.
Mercy Medical Center
Shasta County Health and Human Services had eight booths dealing with childhood lead poisoning prevention, impaired driving, pedestrian safety, tobacco education, outreach, suicide prevention, and maternal, child and adoleescent health.
Lourdes from HHSA
Circle of Friends, a wellness program of Hill Valley Clinic funded by the Mental Health Services Act also had a booth. Stand Against Stigma, also funded by MHSA had a booth inside.
Circle of Friends
Far Northern Regional Center had helpful information about services for people with disabilities. Tegerstangs Orthotics and Prosthetics presented and array of their products. Tri Counties Bank was present to promote financial health,
Numerous Native American organizations were represented including California Indian Manpower Consortium Inc., The California Rural Indian Health Board, Indian Child Welfare Act – Pit River Tribe, Indigenous Prayer Runners, Local Indians for Education, Native American Training and Technical Assistance, and the California Tribal TANF Partnership. In addition there were several booths featuring Native American jewelry, crafts, and pine nuts.
Promoting healthy lifesyle for Native American Youth
Women’s health issues were addressed by the Women’s Healthcare Association of Redding, Every Woman Counts, Women’s Health Specialists, and NorCal Think Pink.
NorCal Think Pink
For seniors, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) was present to provide health insurance counseling. Eagle Lake Village Senior Living was there. Mayers Intermountain Hospice had a booth to help families cope with the issues of terminal illness and grief.
Rising Sun Fitness Cliub
Healthy Shasta was present to promote healthy lifestyle choices, and Rising Sun Fitness came to feature fitness.
Fred Gideon and Susann Chism from American Red Cross
The Red Cross, Burney Fire Protection District, and US Forest Service all had booths to explain programs for safety, fire protection, and emergency response. The Burney Mosquito Abatement District was there. There was also a booth for California Telephone Access Programs offering a variety of phones for people with special needs.
Event SNIPP came to promote animal health.
To complement the array of heath service professionals, government agencies, and business the Pit River Health Clinic provided a wonderful lunch for everyone who attended.
Filed under Burney, health, Pit River Tribe
Pit River Health Service holds appreciation barbecue
Pit River Health Service, Inc. (PRHS) held an appreciation barbecue at the Veterans Hall in Burney on Friday, June 29 to recognize and thank all who were involved in helping achieve accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). About 50 people, including board members, administrators, staff and health care providers attended.
Glenna Moore gives a slide show reviewing the process and congratulating all involved
The program began with a slide presentation by Glenna Moore, Executive Director of PRHS. Ms. Moore explained the detailed process they had gone through to meet all of the high standards required for accreditation.
The journey involved extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by AAAHC expert surveyors – physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory health care. The survey is consultative and educational, designed to help clinics achieve the highest standard of care for their patients. Ms. Moore thanked and congratulated everyone present for their hard work.
Executive Director Glenna Moore recounting the journey to excellence
Following the slide show, Laurie Hayward, Health Board Chairperson, spoke of the compassion and commitment that contributed to success.
“I am so proud of you,” she said. “We worked together as a team, a clinic, and a community. We would not be here if you did not have compassion for your job.”
Certificates of appreciation had been prepared for all who participated. Executive Director Moore presented Betty George, Treasurer of the Board, with a beautiful blanket in appreciation of her work. Other members of the Board are: Denise Winn Wright, Vice Chairperson; Louise Davis, Board Secretary; and Lester ‘Wayne’ Gibbs.
Betty George thanked for her service
Chairperson Hayward then presented Glenna Moore with a certificate and a purse.
Laurie Hayward, Denise Petersen, and Glenna Moore
After the presentation of certificates, there was a cake cutting ceremony.
Celebrating excellence and achievement
Board members posed for a commemorative picture,
Board members standing by motto and cake
and Chairperson Hayward cut the cake.
Board members standing by motto and cake
Tribal elder Jessica Jim and Administrative Assistant Denise Petersen also shared in the celebration of compassion, commitment, and community.
Filed under Burney, health, Pit River Tribe
Burney Chamber Fall Fling
160 people turned out for the Burney Chamber of Commerce Fall Fling at the Veterans Hall on Saturday evening, October 28.
Burney Chamber President and Office Manager Willie Rodriguez and Jen Luck emceed the event.
Burney Chamber President Willie Rodriguez
Chamber Office Manager Jen Luck
Honorary Mayor of Burney Jill Daugherty announced this year’s award winners.
Honorary Mayor of Burney Jill Daugherty
Tubit Enterprises was named Business of the Year.
Doug & Jennifer Lindgren of Tubit Enterprises receive the award for Business of the Year
Anesha Pearson was named Employee of the Year.
Anesha Pearson from Gepetto’s named Employee of the Year
Boy Scout Troop 38 was named Organization of the Year
Organization Of The Year is Boy Scout Troop 38
George Chapman was named Volunteer of the year.
George Chapman is Volunteer of the Year
The theme of this year’s Fall Fling was Outdoor Adventure. Folks dressed for the occasion.
A delicious meal was prepared by Lassen RV Bistro.
Jen introducing chefs from Lassen RV Park
Many civic minded people showed up to enjoy the evening and support the event.
Pit River Casino Supporters
The Leadership Club of Burney High School served the meal.
After the meal, raffle winners were announced and items were auctioned. It was a jolly good time and a worthwhile event. Congratulations to the Burney Chamber of Commerce for a successful year.
Filed under Burney, Chamber of Commerce, Pit River Country Events
Pit River Casino Egg Hunt delights
Hundreds of children took delight in gathering plastic eggs filled with candy on the grounds of Pit River Casino on a beautiful Saturday afternoon April 15. Beginning at noon, there were 4 separate hunts for age groups 0-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10 and older.
Young lad in a field of eggs
Parents with toddlers on a hunt for eggs
Harvesting a cache of eggs
Ten year old and up are off and running
A stampede of 7 to 9 year olds
In addition to the egg hunts, there was also a delicious barbecue of hamburgers and hot dogs and drawings for cool prizes.
Signing up for the drawing
Cool prizes
Pit River Casino Manager Mike Avelar said, “We do this to give back to the community by getting everybody together and letting the kids have fun.”
Mike Avelar preparing kids for the egg hunt
Among the many families who enjoyed the event were the Meltons. Jakob Melton, age 6, collected 17 eggs. He said the Easter Bunny came and left the eggs and then “just hopped off.”
The Melton family
Melisha Carpenter said she would like to have more eggs but she was very grateful to the Easter Bunny for the ones that she did find.
Melisha Laree Carpenter
Many thanks to Pit River Casino for a wonderful community event.
Filed under Burney, Pit River Country Events, Pit River Tribe, youth
Pit River Tribe to host reader’s theatre and pot luck January 13
Click on flyer to enlarge
On January Friday 13, 2017, there will be a reading of a play entitled “Undamming History.” The event will held from 6-8 p.m. at the Pit River Tribal Community Room in the Pit River Health Services Building located on Park Ave. Burney, CA.
There will also be a pot luck dinner.
The community is invited to “Bring a dish and join an informal script read of the play about local tribal history that debuted Oct. 22 at the Cascade Theater. Have fun while learning about indigenous history!”
The Shasta Historical Society and four tribes in the area collaborated to create the work.
Marc Dadigan, Jack Potter, Louise Davis, Jessica Jim and others who were part of the committee that produced the play will be in attendance. Some of the actors who played roles at the debut in Redding are also planning to come. In addition, Patricia Lord from the Shasta Historical Society will be present and perhaps speak about the resources the society can provide.
If you would like more information on the program, please email marcdadigan@gmail.com. A copy of the script is available on the Shasta Historical Society’s website.
Filed under Burney, Pit River Area History, Pit River Tribe
Whitewater Recreation on the Pit One Reach
About 60 whitewater adventurers came to Pit River Country the weekend of October 29-30 for whitewater recreation on the Pit One Reach. Kayakers and rafters came from as far away as Alaska and Wyoming. Ages of participants ranged from 14 years old to 68.
Headed down the Pit photo by Christine O’Connor
Every year, whitewater flows are required as part of PG&E’s license conditions for the Pit 1 Hydroelectric Project. The Pit 1 Reach is the 6.5-mile portion of the Pit River that extends from PG&E’s Pit 1 Forebay in Fall River Mills to the Pit 1 Powerhouse.
Group by the rock photo by Christine O’Connor
On October 24, PG&E increased flows from about 200 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 800 to 900 cfs creating Class IV and V rapids . This provides a particularly exciting opportunity for kayakers and rafters because the section of the river includes Pit River Falls.
Heading over the falls photo by Christine O’Connor
Some kayakers go over the falls. Some choose to ride the chute parallel to the falls. In either case it is an exciting ride. The stretch ends at the Bureau of Land Management Campground at Pit 1.
Over the falls photo by Christine O’Connor
Where’s the kayak photo by Christine O’Connor
This was the second whitewater recreation weekend of the year on Pit 1 reach. The first event had been October 8-9. The scheduling of the event is a cooperative effort of PG&E, BLM and American Whitewater.
Most of the participants come on Saturday and camp overnight at the BLM campground to continue their weekend of fun. On Saturday night many of the campers enjoyed a combination Halloween Octoberfest celebration.
Halloween October Fest celebration photo by Christine O’Connor
I wasn’t able to make the first event. Nor was I able to get there on Saturday the 29. Sunday was my last chance.
When my wife Linda and I got out of church it was pouring rain. We drove to the campground to interview some of the kayakers. The first group I met consisted of Karen Guibault from Chico, Jami Rains from Sacramento, Sara Strader and Mary Elliot from Verdi, Nevada, Bruce Taylor from Reno, and Stephanie Viselli from Carson City and Christine O’Connor who had taken many wonderful pictures of the group’s escapades.
Kayakers from Nevada and Northern California
Undaunted by the rain, they had finished their ride for the day and were enjoying a feast of leftovers from the celebration that they had had the night before. They kindly gave me a bag full of sauerkraut.
When I asked them all if they had a quote, they said, “Thanks to PG&E, BLM, and AW!”
After a joyful chat, I headed down to the swimming hole where I met another group: Patrick Baird and Bird Sewett from White Salmon Washington, Brad Gossett from Alaska, and Riley Gardner from Jackson Hole Wyoming.
Kayakers from Alaska, Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington
Then I saw two more trudging up from the river carrying their kayaks.
Joyful rafters after a great ride
And last but not least 14 year old Nathan with his kayak on his back.
14 year-old Nathan carrying his kayak back from the Pit
They were done for the day. I was getting soaked and Linda was waiting in the car. There were a few rafters still on the river but they weren’t expected to arrive soon. Linda and I headed home grateful that we had been able to meet these wonderful whitewater enthusiasts of all ages and share just a taste of their excitement.
Many thanks to Christine O’Connor for the wonderful action photos.
PG&E to increase flows above Pit One Oct 24-Nov 20
Whitewater recreation scheduled October 29 to 30
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will provide higher flows on a portion of the Pit River in eastern Shasta County.
The higher flows will occur from October 24 to November 20. The higher flows are the result of both powerhouse maintenance at the Pit 1 Powerhouse and for whitewater recreation scheduled October 29 to 30. Flows will be increased from about 200 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 800 to 900 cfs over the entire four-week period.
Recreationalists in or near this portion of the river are encouraged to use extra caution during the increased flows. This portion of the river contains Class IV and V rapids, which are appropriate only for skilled paddlers. The flows are not safe for tubing.
The Pit 1 Reach is the 6.5-mile portion of the Pit River that extends from PG&E’s Pit 1 Forebay in Fall River Mills to the Pit 1 Powerhouse.
While the powerhouse is undergoing scheduled maintenance, water will not be diverted into a tunnel and instead will flow into the Pit 1 Reach.
PG&E previously conducted higher flows on the Pit 1 Reach on October 8 and 9.
The whitewater flows are a requirement of PG&E’s license conditions for the Pit 1 Hydroelectric Project.
Despite the drought, water flows in the Pit River watershed are near normal as the Pit River is largely fed by springs that steadily release water from large volcanic aquifers, even in dry years.
At PG&E, safety is our top priority. PG&E offers the following water safety tips:
- Sudden immersion in cold water can stimulate the “gasp reflex,” causing an involuntary inhalation of air or water. It can even trigger cardiac arrest, temporary paralysis, hypothermia and drowning. When faced with swift water, even the strongest swimmers may be easily overwhelmed.
- Many unseen obstacles can be lurking below the water’s surface. Swift water can make these obstacles even more treacherous. Guided trips for inexperienced paddlers are recommended.
- Recreating in PG&E canals and flumes is strictly prohibited. Stay out of canals and flumes, which are very dangerous due to slippery sides and fast moving water.See
Pit River Country 