Blog

Feather River Advocacy Project (FRAP) participants enjoy the scenic view of the Feather River from the banks. The sand and river stones shifted beneath our feet as we followed a narrow path along the Middle Fork of the Feather River. Cool air rose from the water, mixing with a warm breeze, carrying the sweet fragrance of mint and willow. Beside us, the river sang through a corridor of deep green sedges, willow thickets, mugwort, lupine, goldenrod, and countless other plant re

Photo: Together Bay Area Spring Conference, May 13, 2026 at the Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA I have learned a great deal from making cordage. Cordage by itself is a braid of string, but when you wrap it around stalks of tule, it can make a boat. When you tie cordage around sticks of willow, it can make a house. Cordage, when applied, can be a useful vehicle of change and transformation. Cordage can also teach you how to collectively build power. As a program mana

Recently, I attended a water policy public hearing in Sacramento. Around the table were representatives from agriculture, dam operations, conservation, fisheries, and Tribal communities, each invited to explain why their priorities should shape California’s next water plan. Farmers spoke about crop failure without reliable water. Ecologists warned that diverting too much water from rivers would push keystone species toward collapse. Others proposed compromise solutions, maint

In January, at the Feather River Tribal Health center, a circle of healthcare providers formed at the end of a long day. Not the kind of circle you rush through, but one you settle into, shoulder to shoulder, letting the room grow quiet. Voices moved one at a time. Some carried gratitude. Some carried honest discomfort- the kind that surfaces when you realize how much you were never taught. All spoke with resolve. We listened as providers named what they would carry back wit

By: Taylor Pennewell, Co-founder, Executive Director Huddled together on a platform at the base of the Lake Oroville Barrier Dam, we watched as hundreds of salmon leapt with all their might, out of the Feather River and toward home. Deep in their DNA, the call of home was fierce, the songs, the smells, and the memories pulled them like a magnet from the ocean back to the waters of their ancestors. Desperate and determined to return, they hurled themselves from the water, only

7 Do's, Don'ts, and Guidance for Teachers By Trelasa Baratta, Education Specialist, Redbud Resource Group As we reflect on Indigenous Peoples’ Day and prepare for Native American Heritage Month, we’re reminded of the power and relevance of Indigenous teachings in the classroom. We believe that integrating Indigenous perspectives into education isn’t a seasonal act. It’s a year-round commitment to honoring Native voices, respecting Tribal sovereignty, and deepening our relatio

By Sheridan Enomoto and Trelasa Baratta View of the Green Mountains at Knoll Farm, Vermont. July 2025. Last month, we had the privilege...

A journey of restoration, reconnection, and a land coming back to life. By Crystal Brown, Project Coordinator, Feather River Advocacy Project The Road In The road into Yellow Creek Campground is long and dusty, winding through conifer woodlands and little meadows. As we drove in, my eyes caught on a shade structure standing off to the side, made from sturdy tree poles, with willow woven overhead. A few signs stood nearby, likely telling the story of this place. I thought to m

By Taylor Pennewell, Co-founder, Executive Director The impact of the Feather River Advocacy Project goes far beyond environmental issues. Bringing tribes and allies together for water advocacy isn’t just about policy briefings, scientific data, or restoring endangered species. Those things matter—but lasting change requires something deeper: healing the impacts of colonization on our people, our cultures, and our sense of safety so that we can do good advocacy work. That’s