The opening ceremony of the Big Time Logging Jamboree. Photo submitted

Good turnout for Maidu Summit Consortium Big Time Logging Jamboree

June 14, 2023 Editor

Submitted by Katherine Sansone

A great crowd from the Lake Almanor Basin came out on June 3rd to enjoy the competition of the Big Time Logging Jamboree sponsored by Collins Pine and hosted by the Maidu Summit Consortium. “The Maidu Consortium is thrilled that our second event received such a great response with over 31 competitors and over 400 guests who joined the fun of watching ‘loggers’ vie for cash prizes,” said Misty Salem, Maidu Consortium grant manager. “With a total of $4,000+ raised we can continue doing the work of the consortium to keep the Maidu culture alive and continuing our efforts as stewards of the land.”

The competition had 10 categories for both men and women to participate each having opportunity to win a total of $325 for first, second and third place. A prize of $1,000 donated by the Lake Almanor Community Foundation was awarded to by Mel Lentz from Diana, West Virginia as the over-all logger. “We couldn’t have asked for a better day for all to come out for the fun, support the efforts of the Maidu Summit Consortium and learn more about our culture that is steep in the history of Plumas County,” adds Shannon Williams, project manager.

The opening of the event was a presentation by Allen Lowry, vice-chair of the consortium, giving a brief history of the Maidus and the many years they have been a part of the community and their rich culture that has impacted the local history. The clapper stick, a traditional Maidu instrument was played by Vance Hedrick who also sang some traditional Maidu songs, which was greatly appreciated by the audience. Guests had an opportunity to receive a certificate in their name or as an honorarium to someone with a $20 donation to purchase a seedling that continues the reseeding of the Maidu forest destroyed by the dixie Fire in 2021.

Also supporting the event was the Almanor Foundation who ran a brisk beverage kiosk and the Feather River Tourism Association, who supports local businesses and events to bring tourist to Plumas County. Much enjoyed was local singing dentist Dr. Jeffery Benedictson playing tunes between roaring chains saws and cheers from the crowd.

For those interested in supporting the reseeding, the Maidu Summit invite you to come to the local office at 289 Main Street, Chester to donate to the reforestation project or call 530.258.2299 for more information.

Our mission is to preserve, protect, and promote the Mountain Maidu Homeland with a united voice. The Maidu Summit Consortium envisions re-acquired ancestral lands as a vast and unique park system dedicated to the purposes of education, healing, protection, and ecosystem management based upon the Maidu cultural and philosophic perspectives, as expressed through traditional ecology.