REPORT OF RAJENDRA SINGH’S VISIT TO 3 CREEKS, PAYAHUUNADÜ

By Gigi Coyle with Teena Pugliese

Our intention at Walking Water and 3 Creeks continues to be to build support and deepen community around change called for in our world thru bringing the local and global water stories and peoples together. In February Dr. Rajendra Singh reached out to Gigi asking if she might meet him at the UN Water Summit. When this was not possible given transitions at 3 Creeks, we explored the possibility of Rajendra and his colleagues coming to California. Thanks to the organization of Ethan Hirsch-Tauber (The Water Folk) and Zach Weiss (Water Stories), a trip was organized.

Rajendra clearly wanted to return to Payahuunadü at the end of March, to visit the people and place where he had walked during the Walking Water pilgrimage in 2015 – 2017.  Though it would be a 9-hour drive for only two days, Gigi with Teena Pugliese, who also knew Rajendra through the Defend the Sacred Alliance, agreed it was an important visit. The team at 3 Creeks rallied together to offer a breath to our guests in the beauty of this watering hole, a place of integration, a moment of incorporation after such a packed meeting time at the UN.  Those traveling together with Rajendra were able to meet each other in a heartful way and learn more of the Payahuunadu story. We honored and celebrated Dr. Rajendra’s work in India (Tarun Bharat Sangh) revitalizing 13 rivers and reducing local temperatures by 2 degrees. As well, we were able to share the recent transition of this 5-acre oasis to the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission – all part of a growing movement focused on and guided by our relations with water.

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Our first day was spent in circle, in prayer, in walks and talks along the Tinnemaha Creek, in silence, story and song. Our evening was filled with the joy of delicious meal together and the grief experienced while watching the film Paya, learning yet again of the water extraction and the genocide of indigenous peoples.
It was important to open the next day with fire and prayer, to move with the wind into the Heron Hut for another round of sharing, to visit a sacred spring nearby and dive deeper into our shared care for this water world. Our time at 3 Creeks ended by a short visit with Teri Red Owl from the OVIWC, Noah Williams from the Bishop Tribe, and Paul Huette from the Big Pine Tribe with their special guest Geneva Thompson, the Assistant Secretary of Tribal Affairs at the California
Resource Center.

It was key, even if for only one evening, to connect to local Indigenous water protectors and the larger community.  Partnering with The Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center, we organized a kind of “talking water” time and open circle for their last evening. Our guests had the opportunity to see the exhibits at the center and Rajendra had the chance to meet old and new relatives. The cultural center director, Tara Frank, and a Numu elder welcomed us all as community with powerful words and an opening prayer. There was a large turnout for an evening of conversations with local and global water protectors. Kathy Bancroft (Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of Lone Pine Tribe), Paul Huette (Acting Chairman of the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission), and Noah Williams (Water Program Coordinator for the Big Pine Tribe).

These water stories were witnessed, the struggles and successes, the work to restore our relations with water, to be with drought and flood in both old and new ways. We have much to learn and more of indigenous ways need to be known, shared, and carried forward into a new story. The two hours all went by so fast, we barely had time for questions …. The last one asked however, left us all in our hearts …How can we help? be part of the healing? The changes that need to happen? in ourselves, this valley and in our world. As our guests drove away for more workshops and gatherings in Northern California, we felt blessed and enlivened by their visit … we are not alone in this long walk with water, with healing, with care. We hoped others did as well.
We feel much gratitude for Rajendra and his colleagues, for all at 3 Creeks, Walking Water and Water Stories as well as for Kathy, Paul and Noah who helped to make this and so much more happen. With deep mutual respect shared and trust in the movement ahead.

To listen to the event at the Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center go HERE