The Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation hosted our 4th annual Indian Hemp workshop in November 2024 in Wenatchee. This gathering of native people on p'squosa homelands, practicing their traditional ways, is an important step in reclaiming these lands. These days focused on collecting and basic processing techniques.

We are thrilled to continue to expand our programs and host our first Indian Hemp Symposium. Bringing together Indian hemp practitioners from throughout region to share knowledge and vision for the future. We will be partnering with multiple Washington State Tribes programs, as well as offering a Youth Day - land based education opportunity!

For more information: mary@indigenousrrf.org

If you register & are unable to attend, please notify IRRF immediately as we will have a waitlist of attendees who can attend.

We are currently seeking sponsors/donations to help support this event, email: mary@indigenousrrf.org

Click on the button below for an event sponsorship form:

THIS SESSION IS FULL -

stay tuned for additional future sessions

Registration is required. Space is limited so please only register if you are able to join for all four sessions. 

IRRF Book Club: Braiding Sweetgrass In-Person

Join us for a four-week series discussing Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Mary Big Bull-Lewis, Chair of Indigenous Roots + Reparation Foundation, will lead the discussion. Please join us for all four sessions of the series. 

Series dates:

Jan 23rd, 30th, Feb 6th, 13th at 5:30 PM Wenatchee Public Library

We'll be reading the book together and discussing sections as assigned. You can request a copy of the book using our library catalog or buy a copy at the Evergreen Gift Shop.

This book club is co-sponsored by Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation (IRRF) and Evergreen Gift Shop, a local Indigneous owned business.

Previous Events

Celebrate International Mountain Day!

International Mountain Day: Global Importance & Local Action

Saturday, December 14, 2024, 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Red Barn @ Wenatchee River Institute

347 Division St.

Leavenworth, WA 98826

Join local mountain enthusiasts and stewardship organizations of the East Central Cascades as we organize in celebration of International Mountain Day. Since 2003, this day has been celebrated worldwide to raise awareness of the importance of mountains, highlight both the opportunities and challenges of mountain development, and build alliances that bring positive change for mountain communities and ecosystems. The event begins at 2:00 p.m. with a critical mass-style community trail run in Waterfront Park departing from the WRI Red Barn. At 3:00 p.m., doors open for an afternoon of inspiring short films, presentations by local groups, and an action panel with organization leadership where we will discuss how we can better collaborate to care for our local mountains. Hot drinks and snacks will be provided! Attendees will leave with fresh inspiration, a deeper understanding of mountains’ global significance, and ideas for getting involved locally.

This event is hosted by the Wenatchee River Institute in collaboration with Leavenworth Mountain Association, Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation, Wenatchee Valley TREAD and the Kilan Jornet Foundation.

Cost is Pay What You Can. Choose a price that is reasonable for you. WRI offers this in recognition that not everyone can afford to pay the same amount for classes. We hope that people who can, will pay to help those who cannot.

Registration required - click on registration button to the right.

Billy Frank Jr. statue project maquette



The Indigenous Roots & Reparation Foundation (IRRF) is proud to partner with the Nisqually Tribe, Northwest Treaty Tribes, ArtsWA, North40 Productions & the Mercantile to showcase the Billy Frank Jr. statue project maquette during Native American Heritage Month!

The maquette will be on display from November 21st - December 8th, 2024 at the Mercantile co-working space located at the Ellis-Forde building:

14 N. Wenatchee Avenue

Wenatchee, WA.

Regular viewing hours are 8am to 5 PM Monday - Friday and can also be seen through the window when the Mercantile is closed. 

👉🏽 Learn more about Billy Frank Jr., and the project: arts.wa.gov/billy-frank-jr

“I am honored to collaborate with many organizations as a Commissioner of ArtsWA and with IRRF, to continue to share Billy Frank Jr.’s legacy. Billy’s story and advocacy work will live on through this piece. He is truly inspiring through his courage, strength and resiliency for Indian Country.” Mary Big Bull-Lewis, Founder & Interim Executive Director of IRRF. 

**Registration is full. If you'd like to be added to our waitlist, please complete the registration form. If we have cancellations, we will contact in the order of registration.

4th Annual Indigenous Roots & Reparation Foundation

Indian Hemp Field Trip

Friday November 15, 2024

9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Wenatchee, WA.

• Sponsored for tribal members & descendants
• Please note your tribal affiliation
• Lunch will be provided
• Dress warmly
• Gas stipends are available on request if needed
• Space is limited
  
  

Registration opens Tuesday October 22

Registration is required to attend - each registration is timestamped, honoring the first who register. We will have a waitlist available once all spots are filled. If you register & are unable to attend, please notify Mary so we can make space for those on the waitlist.

Registration is required to attend.

(Click on the yellow "Register HERE" button below and complete the form.)



The Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation is pleased to announce its 4th annual Indian Hemp workshop on November 15th in Wenatchee. This gathering of native people on p'squosa homelands, practicing their traditional ways, is an important step in reclaiming these lands, This day will focus on collecting and basic processing techniques. After a morning of gathering this incredible plant, we will head indoors for lunch and an introduction to fiber processing. Bernadine Phillips & Tlaqna Qwnqninxn will be sharing their vast knowledge on this tradition.

For more information: mary@indigenousrrf.org

If you register & are unable to attend, please notify IRRF immediately as we will have a waitlist of attendees who can attend.



We are currently seeking sponsors/donations to help support this event, email: mary@indigenousrrf.org

SAVE THE DATE - IRRF is also pleased to add a second event to its work with reconnecting with these important traditions.

On March 6 -7, 2025, IRRF will hold a second workshop in Wenatchee. Over two days, the workshop will bring practitioners of Indian Hemp from throughout the region together to share on a wide range of aspects from ecological stewardship techniques, advanced processing, cordage, twining, basketry, net making and much more. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting new event.

The 2024-25 Film and Speaker Series presents: Inhabitants 

The Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center is honored to host a screening of the award-winning documentary Inhabitants on Thursday, Nov. 14, 7-9PM. 

Inhabitants follows five Native American Tribes across deserts, coastlines, forests, and prairies as they restore their traditional land management practices. For millennia Native Americans successfully stewarded and shaped their landscapes, but centuries of colonization have disrupted their ability to maintain traditional land management practices. From deserts, coastlines, forests, mountains, and prairies, Native communities are restoring their ancient relationships with the land.   

The Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation (IRRF) will be tabling and hosting a discussion following the screening.

Admission is free for members and $5 for non-members. Registration is recommended.

The 2024-25 Film and Speaker Series is sponsored by Gesa Credit Union. Thank you to the IRRF for supporting this event. 

In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, IRRF is hosting a

FREE screening of the documentary: Fish War

When: Monday October 14th, 5 pm

Where: Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center

 127 S. Mission Street, Wenatchee

Tickets: FREE event, but participants must register - limited

   Click on the "Register" button below

   to secure your seats

The Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation (IRRF) presents “Fish War”, a new feature documentary film from North Forty Productions and Northwest Treaty Tribes Media.

Fish War recently premiered two sold out screenings at the Seattle International Film Festival May 2024.

View the trailer: https://www.fishwarmovie.com

If you missed the screening of Fish War in Wenatchee, you can host a screening of your own: https://www.fishwarmovie.com/

About the film

Salmon are the lifeblood for many Indigenous communities in Washington. When the state government all but cut off their fishing access in apparent violation of an 1855 treaty, the tribes refused to take it lying down. They saw their fight as part of the growing civil rights movement across the country and capitalized on their penchant for peaceful disobedience and protest to draw national attention to their plight. Their dogged work earned them a day in court but, instead of settling the issue of fishing rights, a landmark decision by a conservative judge triggered a decades-long battle between the tribes, the government, and non-Indigenous fishermen.

With support from the Northwest Treaty Tribes, Fish War uses rare archival footage and the insight of activists on the front lines of the fight to trace the battle from its origins in the ’60s to today while interrogating what guaranteed fishing rights truly mean in the face of a climate crisis and human intervention.

-Betsy Cass, SIFF Programmer

There will be a short panel discussion after the film with special guests.

This event is in partnership with:

Humanities Washington, North 40 Productions, Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center, Northwest Treaty Tribes

* Registration is CLOSED *Click on the REGISTER button below to secure your seats for the event.

There is limited seating for this event.

Huckleberry Camp 2024

September 13 - 15, 2024
Location: Leavenworth, WA

Tribal Members & descendant

Registration is CLOSED

>>> REGISTRATION OPENED: Thursday July 18th 7pm & is now FULL <<<

The location has camping amenities; camp cabins that sleep up to 8 people (indicate on the registration who you are willing to share a cabin with - cabins will be shared this year as we want to provide as many opportunities for many) these are cabins that are used for summer camp & have 8 bunk beds with mats. Meals will be provided for participants for the entire weekend. 

There are tent sites and limited parking for RV trailers.

Financial support for travel is available if needed, please mark if you need a gas card. These will be give to participants at the camp.

This is a family event. No drugs, alcohol or weapons. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.

The registration opens Thursday July 18th at 7pm and closes once the spots are filled. (the button for the registration form will be below this description).The registrations are timestamped and are filled in the order of registration. We will have a waiting list registration open once the original spots are filled. If spots open up, we will contact the wait list in the order of registration. 

Registering does not confirm spot. An IRRF board member or staff will contact individuals at their provided email to inform if you are registered or on the waitlist.

If you do register and are unable to attend, please notify IRRF as soon as possible. Email info@indigenousrrf.org

We are seeking sponsors for Huckleberry Camp 2024!

If you are interested in sponsorship, we have several levels. Click on the Donation Form button below to download a pdf.

We appreciate the continued support from our sponsors & community!

the tribes refused to take it lying down. They saw their fight as part of the growing civil rights movement across the country and capitalized on their penchant for peaceful disobedience and protest to draw national attention to their plight. Their dogged work earned them a day in court but, instead of settling the issue of fishing rights, a landmark decision by a conservative judge triggered a decades-long battle between the tribes, the government, and non-Indigenous fishermen. With support from the Northwest Treaty Tribes, Fish War uses rare archival footage and the insight of activists on the front lines of the fight to trace the battle from its origins in the ’60s to today while interrogating what guaranteed fishing rights truly mean in the face of a climate crisis and human intervention.

-Betsy Cass, SIFF Programmer

About IRRF

The Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation (IRRF) is an Indigenous-led nonprofit established in 2021 to preserve history, culture, traditions and language through education and advocacy.

All proceed from the screening will go to IRRF.

Virtual Meet & Greet -

Indigenous Roots & Reparation Foundation

Zoom WebinarTuesday December 5, 2023 7-8pm

The Indigenous Roots & Reparation Foundation (IRRF) Board of Directors welcomes the community to attend a virtual meet & greet. 

Want to learn more about IRRF? 

Have questions you'd like to ask the board of directors?

You can submit your questions ahead of time or write in our questions box on the Zoom webinar. 

Several IRRF Board members will be on the webinar. We will show our short promo videos, each board member introduce themselves and there will be time to allow for questions/comments.

Registration is required. Complete the registration form (orange link below image that says "Register Here") and a Zoom link will be emailed to the email address you provide.

We do ask that your questions are respectful.

Negative or derogatory comments will not be allowed. 

More questions, email cochair@indigenousrrf.org

Beaded Earring Class

October 9, 2023

1-4pm

Location: Wenatchee, WA

The Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation (IRRF) is sponsoring a class in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day to anyone interested in learning how to bead earrings. The class is located in Wenatchee, WA. Come join us to gather and celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day as we get back on the traditional homelands of the p’squosa People. 

The 3 hour class will be led by an instructor. Kits (everything you will need to bead a pair of earrings) are provided as well as light snacks and beverages.

This is a family event. No drugs, alcohol or weapons. 

Each person attending the class must register to sign up. Example - If you & your child wish to attend, please sign both of you up with details. Further details will be emailed to the participants. 

This class is limited to 20 people.

Registrations are timestamped and will be filled in the order of registration. We will have a waiting list. If spots open up, we will contact the wait list in the order of registration. 

If you register and are unable to attend, please notify IRRF as soon as possible. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

Email: chair@indigenousrrf.org

Huckleberry Camp 2023

September 15 - 17, 2023
Location: Leavenworth, WA

We are super excited for the interest in our 2nd Huckleberry Camp - we had an amazing response and the camp filled up in less than 5 hours. This waitlist registration is open for people who would like to be added to our waitlist to attend camp.

If we have cancellations, we will contact people from our waitlist to fill the spots.

The Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation (IRRF) is sponsoring a weekend huckleberry camp for tribal descendants at  a camp nestled into the heart of the Cascade Mountains near Leavenworth, WA. Come join us to gather and celebrate the gift of Huckleberry as we get back on the traditional homelands of the p’squosa People. 

The weekend will be filled story-telling, traditional crafts and, of course, lots of huckleberries. 

IRRF will be organizing a kitchen and providing food for the weekend. 

The retreat center has camping amenities; camp cabins that sleep up to 8 people (please indicate if you are willing to share a cabin as we want to provide as many opportunities for many) these are cabins that are used for summer camp & have 8 bunk beds with mats. Meals will be provided for participants for the entire weekend. 

There are tent sites and limited parking for RV trailers.

Financial support for travel is available if needed, please mark if you need a gas card. These will be give to participants at the camp.

This is a family event. No drugs, alcohol or weapons. 

The registration opens Friday August 11th at 10am and closes once the spots are filled. (the button for the registration form will be below this description).The registrations are timestamped and are filled in the order of registration. We will have a waiting list registration open once the original spots are filled. If spots open up, we will contact the wait list in the order of registration. 

Full details, location and agenda will be emailed to participants by end of August. 

If you do register and are unable to attend, please notify IRRF as soon as possible.

Sponsors

Zoom Class schedule - beginning at 5:30pm each evening: 

• Monday May 29th
• Wednesday May 31st
• Monday June 5th
• Wednesday June 7th
• Monday June 12th
• Wednesday June 14th
• Monday June 19th
• Wednesday June 21st

 

Cost: $100 for series of 8 classes & dinner

If you are interested in sponsoring this event - please 

email  chair@indigenousrrf.org

We want to make this class available to those looking to learn their own language, please indicate on the Google Doc if you are affiliated with a tribe. We offer a sliding fee.

Class limited to 30 participants.

Registration will open April 19, 2023 - online registration via Google Doc must be completed & payment/arrangements.

Registration ends 5-23-23 or if 30 participants sign up - whichever occurs first

lámlamt (thank you) to our nxaʔamxčín language class sponsors!

With our sponsor support, this helps support scholarships, our language teacher, the participant meal and so much more.

It is important to keep our Native American languages alive.

IRRF looks forward to hosting more events like this in the future.

2nd annual Indigenous Roots & Reparation Foundation Indian Hemp Field Trip 2022

Event is full - please keep an eye out for future events!

Sign ups required to attend.

RSVP: Michelle Tiegel CDLT 

Please note your tribal affiliation

Sponsored for tribal descendants.

Come join IRRF to gather and learn about Indian Hemp on p'squosa Homelands Friday November 18th.

- Sylvia Peasley and Spirit Peoples will lead this workshop and share their knowledge about this important cultural plant.

- Representatives from WA State Parks will be there to learn more about the Indian hemp populations on lands they manage.

Dress warmly. Lunch will be provided.

Gas stipends are available on request if needed.

Space is limited.

For more information: Mary Big Bull-Lewis; Chair of IRRF chair@indigenousrrf.org

This annual event is proudly co-sponsored by the

Chelan Douglas Land Trust.

We are currently seeking donations to help support this event, see our Donate page to learn how you can support.

Huckleberry Camp 

August 26-28th 2022 

Location: Leavenworth, WA

Camp is full! We are super excited for the interest in our first Huckleberry Camp - we had an amazing response and the camp filled up in less than 24 hours.

The Indigenous Roots and Reparation Foundation (IRRF) is sponsoring a weekend huckleberry camp for tribal descendants at Basecamp Cascadia, a retreat center nestled into the heart of the Cascade Mountains near Leavenworth, WA. Come join us to gather and celebrate the gift of Huckleberry as we get back on the traditional homelands of the P’squosa People. 

The weekend will be filled story-telling, traditional crafts and, of course, lots of huckleberries. 

IRRF will be organizing a kitchen and providing food for the weekend. 

The retreat center has camping amenities; outdoor showers, outdoor kitchen, composting toilets, and a geodesic dome gathering space. 

There are many walk-up tent sites and limited parking for trailers.

Extra camping gear is available for the weekend if needed. Financial support for travel is available if needed.

Families welcome. 

lamlamt to the Colville Confederated Tribes for providing the salmon for our dinner.