Evacuation Efforts Highlight Cultural Preservation Amidst Crisis
In the midst of a challenging week for many, Stacey Burns and her community have been navigating the complexities of evacuation with a focus on both safety and cultural preservation. As a mother and the Language and Culture Coordinator, Burns finds herself at the heart of efforts to maintain cultural heritage even in times of crisis.
Burns, along with other evacuees, is playing a vital role at a local shelter where community members are stepping up to volunteer. She emphasizes the importance of safeguarding not only physical safety but also cultural assets that are crucial for her community’s identity.
Among the items relocated to Reno are hard copies, digital files, and audio recordings of the Numa, Newe, and Washoe languages. These languages face the risk of becoming endangered, making their preservation a priority. “What is deemed essential is cultural,” Burns remarked. “Those teachings, those stories, those songs — they’re essential for us as Native Indigenous people to move forward, but then to also preserve our teachings, to preserve our identity.”
The sentiment at the shelter is one of resilience and a collective desire to return to normalcy. Burns shared, “It’s time to get back to life. It’s time to get back to school, to work, and we’re ready. Once Mother Nature tells us we’re ready, we’re ready.”
Meanwhile, the Reno Sparks Indian Colony remains committed to providing necessary resources to tribal members until the situation with the fires is under control.
