PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Culture & Language
We are dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Wukchumni Yokuts traditions, language, lifeways, and oral histories by incorporating culture into every program for our youth and families. We focus teachings on being good relatives to all that share this world with us and being mindful stewards of our Mother Earth and the sacred elements that gives us life.
We offer weekly language classes for youth and elders that focus on conversations, games, cultural activities and lessons. We are creating safe spaces for our elders to spend more time with and teach youth our culture, language, traditions, and family stories. We encourage multi-generational learning and strive to create a sense of belonging for all of our youth, elders, and other relations.
The yokuts are recognized as some of the finest basket weavers. We strive to continue this tradition and art form by using our baskets and actively teaching our youth about our basket uses, designs, how to tend to, gather, store, and process materials.
Food Sovereignty
Wukchumni Farms
Our Food Sovereignty project that began in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wukchumni people came together to grow our own food to nourish us and allow for us to safely gather together. Today, we have created an educational site where community members can learn gardening skills, natural building techniques, composting with K'aatru (worms) and 3-bins, how to improve soil health, cultural lessons through storytelling, and seed saving. Our Farm provides fresh produce, eggs, and medicinal plants for cultural uses to Elders and youth program families weekly through our Tribal food pantry distribution.
Tribal Food Pantry
We are a community food pantry that provides food boxes and produce to families in need. families are able to pick up food at our office in Visalia, CA during our distribution days. If you are interested in learning more about our Food Pantry please contact Lisa Thomas - lisa@wukchumnitribe.org
Education & Youth Services
We currently offer a variety of youth services including after school study time, storytelling, cultural enrichment, STEAM, Spring / Summer / Fall / Winter programs during school breaks, and cultural camps for youth & their parents. Youth are empowered to lead activities, talking circles, and group activities to build their leadership and public speaking skills.
Land Stewardship
We believe that it is our sacred responsibility to care for and actively steward our Pa’an (land), as our ancestors did for generations before us.
Our seed library and a native plant nursery are located at wukchumni farms and aims to provide california native seeds and plants for our restoration projects and to our tribal community.
We are currently working on the restoration of our Wuk’nain village through seed saving, planting more native trees / shrubs / flowers / grasses, cultural burns, habitat enhancements, and ground and surface water recharge to revitalize the land, plants, birds, and animals.
Community Land Trust
The WUkchumni Community Land Trust Aims to provide affordable housing for our elders, create a modern village that honors Wukchumni culture and traditional lifeways, and acquire a land base for the Wukchumni people that will be held in perpetuity for our future generations.
The idea for Wukchumni Bu’hach’hai Village comes from multiple visioning sessions and conversations that have been guided by feedback from Wukchumni youth, adults, and elders. This village will be a living community that nourishes the Wukchumni spirit and way of life, while honoring our past and future generations. Located in the Visalia area, this site will include affordable and accessible quality-built, energy efficient homes, community gardens, multi-use gathering spaces, playgrounds, and ceremonial grounds. Wukchumni Bu’hach’hai Village will offer a pathway to reclaiming traditions and community wellness.
If you are interested in learning more about our land back efforts and Community Land Trust development, or if you would like to support our efforts please contact Yaynicut Franco - yaynicut@wukchumnitribe.org
