Tribes Hold Root Digging at Willow Valley Reservoir. Public Root Digging Event Set for June 21
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Ipos, a plant that grows from an edible tuber, will be the focus of a gathering event Thursday sponsored by the Klamath County Museum.
Tribes Hold Annual Root Digging at Willow Valley Reservoir
Every year, this event is hosted by the Klamath Tribes Culture and Heritage Department. Casey Hicks of the Community Service Department brought a bus full of Tribal Elders, and The Youth Coordinator, Will Hess, brought a bus full of Tribal Youth to assist the Elders with digging.
Klamath Tribal Health also joined in the festivities, and both Erin Tecumseh and Chloe Say joined in the fun. Estimated about 40 participants, including Tribal Elders, Tribal Youth, and local Bonanza Community Members who wanted to learn about food sources in their back yard.
Press release by Klamath Tribes.
Museum Organizes Public Root Digging Event Near Klamath Falls
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – An outing to gather ipos, an important Native American food plant, will be offered at 6:30 Thursday, June 21, by the Klamath County Museum.
The free root-digging event will occur at mile post 15 on Highway 140 East. Signs along the highway will mark the location just east of the Swan Lake Road junction. A small parking area is available near the site. A walk of about a quarter-mile on level ground is required to reach the digging area.
Local tribal members will be present to discuss how the plant was used by Native Americans. Ipos, also known as Oregon yampah, is abundant on rangelands throughout much of Klamath County.
“We’ll be digging very small amounts of ipos tubers, but it will be enough for people get a taste sample,” said Klamath County Museum manager Todd Kepple. “Folks may also want to take a few tubers home for planting in flower beds, as ipos is an interesting plant, and it’s very easy to grow.”
Those planning to attend should bring a shovel, drinking water and insect repellent. Children are welcome, though strenuous effort is required to dig the soil. Narrow “sharpshooter” type shovels are recommended.
For more information contact the Klamath County Museum at (541) 882-1000.
Press release provided from the Klamath County Museum.