Susanville Indian Rancheria Tribal Vice Chairman Robert Joseph on Friday issued a written response to the proposed National Rainbow Gathering which may be held July 1st through 7th on Forest Service land west of Susanville, near Highway 36. The actual location of the annual gathering, which can attract up to 30,000 people, is being decided on by organizers and will be announced this week.
“Dear Rainbow Family,” Joseph begins, “This letter is in response to the proposed 2024 Rainbow Gathering within the Susanville Indian Rancheria’s Ancestral lands. We appreciate your consideration in notifying the Tribe of your planned event and proposed location, however the SIR does not support this gathering taking place within our Ancestral lands which overlaps Lassen, Plumas and Modoc county.”
Joseph explained that the Susanville Indian Rancheria consists of the Maidu, Paiute, Washoe and Pit River tribes and the protection of the group’s Cultural and religious resources is their highest priority and concern.
“In taking into consideration the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, National Historic Preservation Act and Section 106 per 36 CFR Part 800, Executive Order 13007 – Indian Sacred Sites and the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act, we are recommending that the proposed 2024 Rainbow Gathering take place outside of SIR’s ancestral lands due to the egregious damage and irreparable harm that would result to our places and traditional cultural and religious importance.”
According to Joseph, SIR’s Tribal Historic Preservation Office has reviewed the application for the proposed 2024 Rainbow Gathering and determind that the gathering would have significant adverse effect to the environment, as well as the historic and traditional cultural properties and landscapes. This includes potential effects to our places of traditional cultural and religious importance.”
SIR recommended that, without a thorough environmental review, and based on the potential of the event to cause damage and harm to non-renewable resources, that the 2024 Rainbow Gathering not be approved.
Rainbow Gatherings are temporary, loosely knit communities of people, who congregate in remote forests around the world for one or two weeks. Past national gatherings have attracted more than 30,000 people.
The last time a Rainbow Gathering was held in the area was 1984 when the annual event was held near Likely.
