Cherokees Going to Water: Paddle Event and BBQ

On August 8, Northern California Cherokees took to the water!

And what a beautiful Saturday we had out on Lake Natoma. It felt like memories in the making all day long.

We had a great turnout for our CNCV-hosted two-hour kayak class through the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, envisioned and organized by Board member, Elena Hansen. We even had some members bring their own kayak or paddleboard to paddle alongside the group. It was a wonderful, relaxing time on the cool water, chatting with each other while slowly floating by egrets, swans, a fawn, crawdads, and ripe blackberries. The weather was perfect for a day on the water: partially sunny with a light breeze.

We returned back to the shore for a tasty, healthy, and seasonal BBQ under shade trees, prepared by Chairperson and amateur chef, Sabrina McKinney, and her husband Robert. We feasted on bison burgers with blackberry bacon jam, fresh elote (corn) salad, baked beans, veggies, melons, homemade peach pie, and sun tea steeped that day in the sunshine.

Then we had a relaxing, meditative time weaving baskets as a group together by the water, facilitated by artist and crafter extraordinaire, Elena Hansen. There were so many beautiful baskets made by happy, smiling Cherokees.

Wado to everyone who came out. You fill our cups, and baskets! It was a great day to be Cherokee family together.