Report of Walks of Resilience & Accountability: PAYAHUUNADÜ

A collaboration between Owens Valley Indian Water Commission & Walking Water

INTRO

After two years of holding Walks of Resilience and Accountability in Los Angeles we all decided to walk again in Payahuunadü – home of the Nüümü (Paiute) and Newe (Shoshone) people. Located on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, the local name means the “place of the flowing water”. It is the place where Los Angeles takes 30% to 70% (depending on the runoff year) of its water from and the City of Los Angeles owns 96% of the land. It is also the place where Walking Water walked nine years ago now when we began the walk from Mono Lake, through Payahuunadü and down to Los Angeles. It was both exciting and humbling to return. 

TEAM

The team for the walks were Teri Red Owl, Kyndall Noah, Rosanna Marrujo and Kate Bunney. And then some incredible support from: 

*Scott Davidson who guided the walk with Patsiata (Owens drained Lake) and held logistics 

*Teena Pugliese, part of the Three Creeks Collective, who organized media and supported media intern Ava Morales.

*Alexis Slutzky who supported logistics.

We have a special thanks to Kathy Bancroft (Elder of Lone Pine Paiute Tribe) who supported our walk with Patsiata, together with Jeremiah Joseph. We were fortunate enough to have Alan Bacock (Big Pine tribe) join us for the first day. And naturalist Mike Prather also joined us. 

And on the second day, Sally Manning (Environmental Director, Big Pine Tribe) and Noah Williams (Water Coordinator, Big Pine Tribe) shared information and story about the Fish Springs Hatchery and the once largest natural spring in the valley that was dried up when Los Angeles began groundwater pumping nearby. 

DONATIONS FROM BUSINESSES

Thanks also to local and non-local businesses who donated foods to support these walks: Manor Market, Grocery Outlet, Looney Bean Cafe, Black Sheep Coffee, Amy’s Kitchen and Numi Tea. Thank you so very much.

PARTICIPANTS

We were a group of 40 people in total with some individuals from various parts of California and some significant organizations – Accelerate Resilience L.A. (ARLA), Spherical Studios, Heal the Bay and Friends of the Inyo. The conversation was inspiring, active, respectful and solution oriented. 

DAY ONE

For the first day, we were accompanied by Kathy Bancroft and Jeremiah Joseph and walked 5 miles with Patsiata/Owens drained Lake. Before Los Angeles began diverting the Owens River which fed into the lake, Patsiata was a large navigable lake that was up to 12 miles (19 km) long and 8 miles (13 km) wide, covering an area of up to 108 square miles (280 km2). After Los Angeles began diverting the water from Patsiada, the lake dried up in less than 10 years and is now  the largest single source of dust pollution in the United States and has only 6% of its water. For many local people this has led to huge health problems due to the toxic dust. We began in silence with our intention of bearing witness to this magnificent being that is Patsiata and to experience the grief of what has been done to her. It makes a difference when we can physically experience the lake … to feel the heat, the dryness and gusts of dusty wind … and also her vastness and beauty. 

After a couple of miles we set up shade roofs and held circle. One of the themes that emerged was the anger and frustration that the City of Los Angeles has caused such a negative impact on the Lake (which once supplied the Indigenous people with a major food staple – brine flies that were collected by the bushels), its peoples, and living beings. And the deep desire for Los Angeles to be water independent and what that would take. Even though Los Angeles has a commitment to reduce the amounts of imported water, what was shared is that as Los Angeles owns most of the water in Payahuunadü the water here is not defined as ‘imported’. There are some that also suggested that even if Los Angeles no longer ‘needed’ the water in the valley, it would still pump and then sell the water. These are all themes that we will follow up with a representative of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) in the Water Learning Series in July. 

Towards the end of our circle the wind started to pick up so we packed up and walked back. We completed with a water blessing and prayer with the waters and with Patsiata. And the wind truly arrived. 

DAY TWO

On the second day we gathered at the Fish Springs Fish Hatchery where Sally Manning and Noah Williams gave a presentation. The Fish Springs was originally one of the largest springs in the valley until LADWP began pumping the groundwater. It is now one of the driest. Groundwater pumping in the valley is a site of significant contention between many in the valley and LADWP. While LADWP pumps mostly within the limits placed on them, those limits are still too high to stop irreparable damage to the valley. For many of us the imagination of an abundant Spring and the reality of what we saw was difficult to hold. While we had many questions and could have listened to Sally and Noah for much longer it was beginning to be very hot and we still had 2.5 miles to walk to get to 3 Creeks. 

LADWP owns 95% of the valley floor, while the Tribes combined own 1/3 of 1%. Among the 1.6% of lands in private ownership, Three Creeks, previously stewarded by Gigi Coyle, Win Phelps and a wide community, is a rare 5-acre oasis that was recently returned to the care of the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission (OVIWC). 

After the heat of the walk we were welcomed by the waters and shade of the land, an example of what the valley would look like if water was not diverted. We were also welcomed by a delicious meal from a local indigenous caterer. 

In the afternoon we then held a panel with members of the OVIWC and the 3 Creeks Collective – Teri Red Owl, Kyndall Noah, Noah Williams, Teena Pugliese, Jen Schlaich, Julie Morales and Scott Davidson. We dove into the vision of the 3 Creeks Collective, the various projects and events that are being held and how the land is becoming a healing place for the tribes. 

One of the most potent elements of the 2 days was this strong wish for collaboration and the realization that together both Los Angelenos and the people of Payahuunadü have an opportunity to not only break the relationship of dependency but also to become a WE that can heal the ‘them and us’ dynamic. 

NEXT STEPS

We completed the weekend feeling energized and hopeful … 

There is a true narrative that many people in LA do not know where their water comes from and the impact of a water management system based in colonial thought. However, there are many in Los Angeles that do know where their water comes from and are committed to breaking those dependent relationships and contribute to a system where we all receive what we need, where we create space for all to bring their voice, knowledge and expertise. 

We are now at a point in time where Los Angeles must change the way it manages and uses water for the sake of its citizens’ health and well-being. The infrastructure it relies on is too fragile to hold the water that is a lifeline to the city. Throughout this weekend we witnessed again and again a group of people who understand that and who are committed to be accountable for the actions of Los Angeles. In so many ways, we became a WE instead of a ‘them and us’. 

Our next walking event will be Oct 25th and 26th in Los Angeles. You can register HERE

WALKERS THOUGHTS 

“Walking the perimeter of Owens Lake and seeing the destruction firsthand that LA’s water imports have caused was a pivotal moment for me. The loss of that water created so many other types of social, environmental, and economic consequences in both the Owens Valley and in L.A. that it was impossible not to be moved by the experience. The Walking Water experience has added even more motivation for me to continue my work to create a water-independent L.A. and also help restore the Owens Valley to what it could and should be.” DEBORAH BLOOME – Senior Policy Director, Accelerate Resilience L.A. (ARLA)

“After a walk in silence, sitting out on the mostly dry Owens Lake bed, feeling the magnitude of the land around us and the water that once was….sitting on rocks under the beating sun in a pop up tent that seemed to represent our collective mood: hot, desperate, frustrated, frail, battling the winds and only held down and made strong by the hands of a collective that cared…. voices rose up. From over there, over here, then there then all around, in our small shaded sanctuary. Voices from all different paths and areas of interest and expertise. Enraged voices. Impassioned voices. Eager voices. And despite the calamity we sat right in the middle of, I felt hope, and was reminded of my reason for being in this valley: to listen to and share and help its voice with my own.” MORGAN BENTZ

“Taking part in the Walks of Resilience and Accountability in Payahuunadü was a transformative experience for me and our whole team. We connected with the water and land, nourished our relationships with our partners at Walking Water and OVIWC, and returned home fortified to continue our work toward a water independent Los Angeles and a return of the water to Payahuunadü.” JENNIFER BRAVO – Project Director, Accelerate Resilience L.A. (ARLA)

​​”I’ve always enjoyed working with all the Walking Water people since they first came to this valley 10 years ago. They have always been very genuinely concerned and interested. And we had this gathering this year that just continues to grow. I’m grateful to work with them every chance because our whole thing is education and getting people to care. They spread our message that we’re trying to get out here internationally. I love talking to them because we talk and we say see you later, but what I really like about the people that walk with Walking Water is that so many of them I’ve become friends with for years afterwards.” KATHY BANCROFT – Elder and Cultural monitor, Lone Pine Paiute Tribe

“It’s always nice when our voices are amplified and heard. I believe it is the networking and collaborations that take place that will definitely be what makes the difference. I remember when Walking Water was kicking off about 10 years back – I believed in it then and I still do today. Living out here and seeing the issues that we’re raising I know that what we’re seeking is attainable. I truly appreciate everyone involved that have supported the event and have been keeping it going with tribal folks and beyond. It’s the non tribal folks who are amplifying our voice, caring and carrying that down to LA and beyond. That is definitely a big thing. Something that jumped out to me this year was the well respected people taking part in the event. I was definitely taken aback. The beauty of the Walking Water event was just bringing people together and amplifying our voice because really, what we’re asking for is fair and right. In time it’ll happen, when enough people and enough things take place. So Walking Water is definitely one of those vital things that needs to take place for change to happen. Thank you again.” JEREMIAH JOSEPH –Lone Pine Paiute Shoshone Tribe

“Los Angeles, as we know it, wouldn’t exist without the life-sustaining waters of Payahuunadü. Walking Water powerfully underscores the urgent need for Los Angeles to finally reciprocate with the Nüümü people. To prepare more effectively to ever-increasing climate extremes, LA can lessen its reliance on aqueducts by harvesting its own stormwater. This is essential for the rivers, streams, and lakes of the Eastern Sierra to once again flow freely again to rehydrate its life and lands.” DAVID MCONVILLE – Co-founder and Research Lead, Spherical

“The walks in Payahuunadu were a transformative experience. It’s one thing to learn and read about LA’s water history, and something else entirely to experience these places alongside indigenous leaders who graciously shared their knowledge of Paya at Patsiata and the interconnected history and trauma of their people. Walking Water and the Owen’s Valley Indian Water Commission created a beautiful and vulnerable space for learning and sharing, so that we can nourish relationships and create energy for collective action together.” NANCY SHRODES – Senior Watershed Specialist, Heal the Bay 

“The recent Walks of Resiliency and Accountability in Payahuunadü were uplifting, productive, and so special. After attending the last several Walks along the L.A. River, it meant so much to me to see Angelenos make the drive to engage with Payahuunadü themselves. As we walked with Patsiata, the Fish Springs fish hatchery, and Three Creeks, I continued to build relationships with folks from previous Walks and I forged new connections too. As a group, we discussed the legacy of brutal colonial violence against the Nüümü and Newe on this land. We learned about the incredible Indigenous stewardship and community work led by the Three Creeks Collective. And as someone working for water justice in Payahuunadü, I met many LA-based environmental groups who want to work together to build interregional power and strengthen our shared commitment to water. A huge thank you to everyone from Walking Water, the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission, and the Three Creeks Collective for organizing and leading this event.” LAUREN KELLY – Friends of the Inyo