what we do
Tributary Connections is the concept of aligning different networks for the protection and
continued sustenance of the natural flowing environments. Tributaries do not flow directly into the ocean yet their importance to the local watersheds is irreplaceable and is the basis of inspiration to our work.Mission Statement:
"Tributary Connections will build up local community resilience through holistic
wellness, education, and ecological regeneration."As we build this organization centered around healing on individual and collective levels; we intend to build our programming through re-granting, project development, and technical assistance.
Program Areas Include:
Regenerative Land Management Initiatives
Holistic Health and Well-being
Indigenous Population Safety
Language Immersion Education Systems
Indigenous Technologies
Alternative Energy Sources
Local, Regional, and Global Transportation Systems
First Nation Jurisprudence and Restorative Justice
Traditional Food Systems and Food Sovereignty
Self-Determined Media and Creative Practice
COVID-19 Response and Rebuild
Thanks for visiting our webpage and please don't hesitate to reach out!!!
*Tributary Connections is fiscally sponsored by Nature Rights Council
**Logo Artwork from Local Indigenous artist Naa-ch li-tu Daraxa (Tolowa)
Priscella Kinney
Priscella (She/Her/Theirs) (Paiute/Shoshone/Chicana) is originally from the Owens Valley, she carried her passion for plants and herbal medicines with her to Humboldt State University where it transformed into a Bachelors of Science in Rangeland Resource Science with a Minor in Native American Studies.
She has worked with local Tribal Health care system (United Indian Health Services) to bring local, organic and affordable food to the community. She has worked with Environmental organizations such as MKWC (Mid Klamath Watershed Council) and Social Justice organizations such as True North Organizing Network. She brings a diverse and unique set of skills in our rural setting along the Klamath River, with intentions of creating, healing and being.
Her most recent work includes media and outreach support for the Native American Fiber Program (NAFP). The NAFP is a network of Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples with inherent Traditional Ecological Knowledge; will be the same leaders that connect environmental and economic viability to sustainable production models.
Isaac Kinney
Isaac (He/Him/Theirs) (Yurok/Chicano) grew up all his life on the Trinity and Klamath Rivers with the only exception of four years at the University of California Davis; coming home with a degree in Native American Studies. Isaac has experience working in philanthropy, transportation systems and tribal governance.
Isaac aims to help build local and regional trails for non-motorized travel as well as waterways projects that build resilient infrastructure for climate change adaptation.
Isaac currently works as a Career Readiness Education Coordinator (CREC) for the Blue Lake Rancheria-Tribal Education Education Agency. Working with an astounding team on the Carl Perkins Innovation and Modernization Grant workiing throughout the Northern California Coast. Isaac's work is primarily recruiting students attending Klamath Joint Unified School District (KTJUSD) for internships, apprenticeships, and/or employment opportunities.
cURRENT PROJECTS
FISH WARS - LIVING STORIES PROJECT
CONTINUING THE DOCUMENTATION OF THE FISH WARS
This project is to document and research past, current and potential future developments in the ongoing "Fish Wars" of the Pacific Northwest of California and Beyond. Work from this project may lead to other Fish Wars media projects. This project is apart of "IndigiSTREAM Productions; a larger initiative in collaborations with Watershed Regenerative Ventures
PE-CHEEK ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
This project includes the donation of two solar systems donation in the Weitchpec area. One of these systems will plug into an existing grid tie-in while the other will be set-up using a network of batteries. These donated systems will work to increase local community members understanding of solar powered energy and will lead to other alternative energy projects.
FOLLOW YOUR PATHWAY PROJECT
Workforce development and technical assistance organizing around locally based conservation projects, land management practices, and emergency preparedness tasks.
ACTIVE FOODS PROGRAM
Building off our past tiny gardens program our new Active Foods Program will become a staple in coordinating and delivering locally sourced foods. Additionally, we plan to organize around ongoing efforts to increase educaton resources connecting nutrition, wellness, and appropriate physical activity for Indigenous Peoples.
oNGOING initiatives
AND PAST PROJECTS
COVID-19 Relief and Rebuild
Leveraging Networks in Times of Uncertainty
Starting in Spring/Summer of 2020 and in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Tributary Connections engaged the various networks established through Priscella and Isaac's work over the years. Response resulted in delivery of various types of donations including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ergonomic footwear for front-line workers, and as well as hospital beds to assist implementation of quarantine measures. Additionally, Tributary Connections was able to support elders, youth, and families in various aid from the historically harmful Wildfire Season of 2020. For more information on the Yurok Tribe's COVID-19 Response please visit: Yurok Office of Emergency Services webpage
Collaborators include: Return to the Heart Foundation, Save California Salmon, Memnosyne Institute, Bioneers, Innovation 4.4, Vivo Barefoot, Lakota Childrens Enrichment, Afya Foundation, Empathy Incubator & Collaboration Accelerator, Nexus Global, Watershed Regenerative Ventures.
Local Permaculture Support
Food Sovereignty on the Lower Trinity-Klamath Rivers
Currently supporting local individual gardens, community gardens, school gardens on the Lower Trinity and Klamath Rivers. These gardens include Firepit Farms (Hoopa), Weitchpec Elementary Yurok Magnet School (Weitchpec), and Jack Norton Elementary (Pecwan); was well as individual families supporting elders and families with young children.
Erhl-er ger' Food and Wellness Forest (EFWF)
Local Wellness Forest Promoting Regenerative Enterprise
Located in the Yurok Traditional Village of "Erhl-er ger'", this social enterprise is a family-owned and operated business aimed at providing local food and medicince market resilience in the Lower Klamath River region. Rebuilding the historic "Dowd Ranch" to fit the local communities food and wellness needs is the priority of this project. Operating as a non-profit until site development and appropriate approvals are extended is the current stage of this project under Tributary Connections.
Tributary Connections - Food Crews
Food Sovereignty on the Lower Trinity-Klamath Rivers
Working as fluid and evolving teams, our food crews are aimed to fill the gaps and dismantle systemic barriers threatening local food market resilience. Activities and services include but not limited to food delivery, hands-on gardening help, pruning, propagation, workshops, and invasive species eradication.
Thinking Warriors Program
Warriors Defending with Think Tanks
Capacity building and technical assistance in local policy/decision-making around local food systems is also paramount to our work. Understanding that many of our life and food systems are under attack, Tributary Connections is dedicated to promoting diverse avenues to standing up and speaking out through organizing and movement building. Still a work in progress, this program will provide information and research-based solutions to local, regional, and global issues.
Restorative Justice and Trauma-Informed Healing
Promoting Empathy Throughout Our Watersheds
Understanding that our current ecological issues are directly related to our political and socio-economic struggles; we at Tributary Connections are dedicated to speaking out to injustices while promoting pathways of healing on individual and collective levels.
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