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Area children uncovered a rock used by Maidu people hundreds of years ago as part of a ceremony late Friday dedicating the rock and land donated to the Tsi-Akim tribe - part of the weekend's Indigenous Peoples Days celebrations in Nevada City.
By Paul Matson
Special to The Union
Special to The Union
Before the Gold Rush, a Maidu Village sat near the banks of Deer Creek in what is now downtown Nevada City.
A piece of their land was given back to the area's Tsi-Akim Maidu as part of Indigenous Peoples Days, which continues today. The celebration began Friday with the dedication of a grinding rock, found near Squirrel Creek and moved to the donated parcel as a monument.
Gary Tintle, Lowell Robinson, Ed Walker and Joe Griggs - of 100 Union Street LLC - deeded the parcel of 1,100 square feet at the corner of Union and Broad Streets to the Tsi-Akim.
The deed to the area of brick paving and a masonry wall next to the new building at 100 Union Street was handed over to the tribe in a ceremony Friday.
A piece of their land was given back to the area's Tsi-Akim Maidu as part of Indigenous Peoples Days, which continues today. The celebration began Friday with the dedication of a grinding rock, found near Squirrel Creek and moved to the donated parcel as a monument.
Gary Tintle, Lowell Robinson, Ed Walker and Joe Griggs - of 100 Union Street LLC - deeded the parcel of 1,100 square feet at the corner of Union and Broad Streets to the Tsi-Akim.
The deed to the area of brick paving and a masonry wall next to the new building at 100 Union Street was handed over to the tribe in a ceremony Friday.
Children pulled back a stunning blanket to reveal the grinding rock, which had been moved to make way for a house and was given to tribal Chairman Don Ryberg.
"The acorn, ground on rocks like this, was the main staple for Indian people for hundreds of years," Ryberg said as the ceremony. "For the grinding holes to become this deep, generations upon generations used this rock. The acorns, once ground and leached, were used to make everything from soup to bread. Untold generations are symbolized by this rock."
"Maidu people believe that everything is living, even the rocks. All grinding rocks are so valuable and sacred because these rocks have heard the prayers, the songs as well as felt blood from people's hands caused by the grinding, inside theses holes. This makes the rock powerful."
"The acorn, ground on rocks like this, was the main staple for Indian people for hundreds of years," Ryberg said as the ceremony. "For the grinding holes to become this deep, generations upon generations used this rock. The acorns, once ground and leached, were used to make everything from soup to bread. Untold generations are symbolized by this rock."
"Maidu people believe that everything is living, even the rocks. All grinding rocks are so valuable and sacred because these rocks have heard the prayers, the songs as well as felt blood from people's hands caused by the grinding, inside theses holes. This makes the rock powerful."
Ryberg recognized Andy Cassano, of Nevada City Engineering for his work to create the monument space, area stone mason Dan Reinhart who created the rock wall, the City of Nevada City and the community for its support of the tribe.
About 200 people attended the ceremony, which included drumming and dancing.
Today, events continue from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with panels at Miners Foundry Cultural Center on topics including mercury in local waterways. They close with a feast of wild salmon, wild elk and buffalo stew at 5 p.m., also at Miners Foundry, 325 Spring St., Nevada City.
For details, visit www.indigenouspeoplesdays.org.
About 200 people attended the ceremony, which included drumming and dancing.
Today, events continue from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with panels at Miners Foundry Cultural Center on topics including mercury in local waterways. They close with a feast of wild salmon, wild elk and buffalo stew at 5 p.m., also at Miners Foundry, 325 Spring St., Nevada City.
For details, visit www.indigenouspeoplesdays.org.
