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STORIES -> Success Stories - Partnerships with the Forest Service
Following the Smoke
![[Photo]: Volunteers at the 2002 Following the Smoke program were introduced to basket weaving, American Indian foods, songs and traditions.](/common/images/Following_the_Smoke_2002.jpg)
Following the Smoke, a unique Passport in Time (PIT) program, has provided a means for preserving
both healthy forests and American Indian Culture. Used on the Six Rivers National Forest for the past
six years, the program, which teams Forest Service employees with American Indian basketweavers from
Karuk, Yurok and Hupa tribes, has been receiving both statewide and national attention. Each summer,
approximately 70 volunteers and agency personnel from across the United States have a rare opportunity
to participate in the event, which includes camping with traditional basketweavers and learning to
collect, process, and weave basketry materials, traditional singing, dancing, drum making, eating
traditional foods, bear grass braiding, and net weaving. The volunteers also assist the basketweavers
in preparing a hazel or bear grass area for burning in the fall. Partners in the project are the Karuk
Indigenous Basketweavers, Six Rivers National Forest, Karuk Tribe of California, Bureau of Land
Management, and the California Department of Transportation.
In a News from Native California magazine article on the program,
Thelma McNeal, a Karuk Indigenous Basketweaver commented, "These gatherings are wonderful for getting
people together and learning. I think it helps people understand a little bit about the Indian way. It
wasn't just easy. You don't just go out and pick some sticks and make a basket."
![[Photo]: Volunteers at Following the Smoke try their hand at the weaving process.](/common/images/Smoke_Weave.jpg)
The PIT project serves as a celebration of American Indian
traditions, particularly the process of gathering weaving materials. Kathy Heffner, Tribal Relations
Program Manager for Six Rivers National Forest, describes the importance of this practice in her report,
Following the Smoke. She writes: "Ultimately, perhaps the most important function of gathering,
either by individual or family tribal units, is that it reinforces the bonds of Indian heritage and
tribal identity. It is an ongoing and evolving cultural activity."
Following the Smoke gets its name from the local basketweavers'
practice of combing the fields in search of flexible bear grass shoots after a controlled burn. The
Forest Service now works closely with the basketweavers to prepare for the burn, which promotes the
growth of new plants like bear grass and hazel bushes, prized by weavers for their pliability and
color. Fires also keep dry, flammable duff, brush and debris from accumulating and eliminate insect
infestation, providing for a healthier forest. Prior to a burn, a tribal member and a Forest Service
heritage resources specialist assess the site for sensitive plants and cultural materials. The site is
cleared of brush and logs, and humidity, wind and air temperature are monitored to ensure the conditions
are right for keeping the fire under control.
As with any new program, when Following the Smoke began, there
were obstacles to overcome. However, according to Stan Pfister, the Orleans/Uknonom District Fuels
Specialist, coordination has improved drastically and is now "a true team effort." Local tribes and
Forest Service personnel will continue working together to develop more opportunities for burns and
promote traditional uses of forest resources. As American Indian weaver Millie Black-Graber points out,
"Fire doesn't just enhance the basketry materials, it's healthy for all the forest." By increasing
understanding between different cultures, building strong relationships and opening the lines of
communication, the partners involved in Following the Smoke have discovered that preserving local
culture and local wildlands go hand in hand.
For more information on how to get involved with the Following the Smoke program, contact
Ken Wilson
Heritage Resources Program Manager
Six Rivers National Forest
1330 Bayshore Way
Eureka, California 95501
kwilson@fs.fed.us
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PARTNERING WITH THE FOREST SERVICE
