About Us
Sawalmem is a Winnemem Wintu-led initiative rooted in decolonization, cultural revitalization, and ecological stewardship. We stand at a critical threshold: the Bollibokka Club—an integral piece of our ancestral homeland along the McCloud River—is up for sale. Reclaiming this land means restoring cultural practices, protecting sacred waters, and ensuring the long-awaited return of Chinook salmon to these hallowed waterways.
Our Tribe, Our Story
The Winnemem Wintu people have lived by the McCloud River since time immemorial, forming a bond so profound that it shapes every aspect of our cultural identity. The Chinook salmon—long recognized as kin—have guided our ceremonies, nourished our communities, and balanced the river’s ecosystem. However, centuries of colonization, dam construction, and displacement have severed salmon from their spawning grounds and cut the tribe off from land-based ceremonies crucial to our traditional lifeways.
Despite these challenges, the Winnemem Wintu continue to resist erasure. Our community preserves its heritage through language revival, ceremonial practices, and educational outreach that keep cultural wisdom alive. Today, we stand ready to enact a new era of rematriation, ensuring our youth inherit thriving salmon runs, restored tribal homelands, and the freedom to honor our ancestors’ teachings.
LandBack Context
LandBack is more than a slogan—it’s a global movement to return stolen lands to Indigenous stewardship for cultural healing, biodiversity recovery, and intergenerational resilience. By reclaiming Bollibokka, we can revitalize millennia-old ceremonies, safeguard Chinook salmon habitats, and uphold our sacred responsibility to the land.
Why Bollibokka Matters:
• Cultural Revival: Traditional ceremonies cannot be fully practiced without access to ancestral territories.
• Chinook Salmon Restoration: The McCloud River’s salmon are integral to both the ecosystem and tribal lifeways.
• Climate Resilience: Indigenous-led stewardship fosters biodiversity, clean water sources, and sustainable land management practices that benefit all communities—human and non-human.
Funding & Timeline
We have already secured $8 million in commitments from allied agencies but need $2 million more to finalize the Bollibokka property purchase. Every hoodie purchase from our Decolonize Collection contributes to bridging this crucial gap. Your support not only helps us reclaim our homeland but also protects the riverine habitat for future generations—of both people and salmon.
Sawalmem’s Vision
Reacquiring the Bollibokka property is the first milestone in our broader path toward cultural and ecological renewal. Over time, we plan to:
• Revive Salmon Populations: Collaborate with biologists and partner organizations to restore Chinook salmon to their original spawning grounds.
• Build a Sacred Gift Economy: Launch a Mempuc (traditional currency) NFT system that aligns ancestral wisdom with regenerative, modern technology.
• Educational Outreach & Media: Develop a culturally immersive video game to share Indigenous knowledge systems with youth worldwide, bridging ancient practices and new storytelling methods.
By supporting Sawalmem, you become part of a movement dedicated to healing ancestral lands, uplifting the Winnemem Wintu, and setting a global standard for decolonization. Join us on this journey to rematriate the Bollibokka property and restore harmony to the McCloud River—one act of solidarity at a time.