New program will assist tribe with land restoration

A new program for the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation has been made possible by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.

“Thank you to the Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s Tribal Capacity Building Program and our tribal council for helping a dream become a reality,” said Aanthony Lerma, who has been working on the issue.

Lerma said there “was pressure” to “make the most of this opportunity, by no means did I walk this path alone.”

With the equipment provided through the program, Lerma said the ability to “balance the scales of over 150 years of mismanagement grows 10 fold.”

With the Indigenous knowledge of the work crews, cultural wisdom and ancestral fortitude, “we will be able to help heal the land at a rate like never before. Opening up space for the plant and animal relatives, reviving the ancestors spaces and bringing strength back to our homelands. The Mehsu Crews growing and the beavers are handling business. “

Lerma said getting the program operational has been a major milestone.

“There are many emotions such as relief, gratitude, pride, excitement. But also an ever lingering thought of, ‘Let’s get to work,’” he said.