Independence Day begs the question of what freedom and independence means. For Independence Day, Radio Curious brings you an interview with the Headman and War Chief of the Winnemem Wintu tribe in Northern California. The Winnemem Wintu declared war on the United States in 2004, in response to the âcontinued cultural genocideâ against the indigenous tribe. Since that time they have been in a state of war against the US Government, which refuses to officially recognize the tribe as Native Americans.
Attorney Barry Vogel, Host and Producer; Christina Aanestad, Assistant Producer. www.radiocurious.org
Radio Curious is a 29-minute weekly program, now in its 21st year, featuring interviews on a curiously wide variety of topics about life and ideas. It is available for free to anyone, anywhere, community radio stations, Indy Media Centers, and listeners around the world to enjoy download, copy, share and rebroadcast. Please credit Radio Curious. If you are a station that airs Radio Curious or a listener please let us know so we can add you to our announcement list when we have specials and take vacations. Contact us at curious@radiocurious.org, where you can also send comments and ideas. Our website is www.radiocurious.org.
In 2004 the Winnemem Wintu, a small Native American tribe in Northern California declared war on the United States government. Their declaration of war was based on allegations of âcontinued cultural genocideâ against their people by the United States govemnment. The United States has not recognized the Winnemem Wintu as a tribal nation. The Winnemem Wintu began their war by holding a traditional war dance at the California State capitol building in Sacramento.
In honor of Independence Day Radio Curious Associate Producer Christina Aanestad visits with Marc Franco, Headman and War Chief of the Winnemem Wintu tribe. His wife, Caleen Sisk-Franco is the Chief and Spiritual Leader of the Winnemem Wintu tribe. This interview was recorded in July 2010, at a coming of age ceremony on tribal land along the McCloud River in northern California, near an area where some of their former villages were flooded to make the Shasta Dam. The conversation began with Marc Franco describing what it means to be the Headman of the Winnemem Wintu tribe.
The Winnemem Wintu website is www.winnememwintu.us/. You may enjoy Christina Aanestad's interview with Caleen Sisk-Franco, the Chief and Spiritual Leader of the Winnemem Wintu tribe, found at www.radiocurious.org.
The book Marc Franco recommends is "Cadillac Desert:The American West and Its Disappearing Water," by Marc Reisner.