Visiting with Respect: Honoring Indigenous Homelands
Sáttítla (the Medicine Lake Highlands) is a place of profound spiritual significance and cultural richness. As visitors, we should remember that these lands are not just picturesque landscapes but Indigenous homelands. For generations, these grounds have supported the traditions, ceremonies, and daily lives of Native peoples. We invite you to join us in preserving and respecting the interconnected natural and cultural resources of this region, both out of reverence for our Pit River Tribal Nation and for the well-being of generations yet to come.
Best Practices for Responsible Visits:
Learn and Respect: Before embarking on your journey, take the time to learn about the history of the area you are about to explore. Understanding the significance of the land fosters respect and appreciation.
Approach with Respect: As you enter cultural landscapes, do so with good intentions and deep respect. Acknowledge the sacredness and importance of the space to Indigenous peoples.
Observe, Don’t Touch or Remove: When encountering natural and Tribal Cultural Resources, admire them from a distance. Resist the temptation to touch, disturb, or remove these precious remnants and resources of history. Refrain from vandalizing or disturbing cultural sites. These Sacred places are not just artifacts or remnants; they are windows into our shared heritage, and are the continuously used teaching areas of the Indigenous Peoples of this land.
Respect Wildlife: Keep dogs leashed and clean up after them. This preserves the health and well-being of the wildlife that calls this land home.
Leave No Trace: Follow the Leave No Trace principles diligently. Carry out all your trash, leaving behind only your footsteps and taking away your memories.
Stay on Designated Trails: Prevent soil erosion and maintain the natural integrity of the area by sticking to designated paths and trails.
Avoid Geotagging: Consider refraining from geotagging your location on social media. These tags can inadvertently lead uninformed visitors to these sensitive sites, potentially causing harm.
Skip Cairn Building: Cairns, though often seen as markers, are not needed here. Let the natural beauty of the landscape speak for itself.
In honoring this guidance, you are contributing to the preservation of this sacred land and its cultural significance.
We invite you to stand with us, respecting Sátíttla as a testament to the enduring legacy of Native peoples. Together, we can ensure this place remains a sanctuary for generations to come.
