Latest news with #Washoe
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wood thinned from forests prevents wildfires and heats Native American homes
Growing up on the Washoe tribal land spread across Nevada and California known as Hung-A-Lel-Ti territory, Kenneth Cruz started splitting wood when he was around 12. The youngest of eight — seven boys and one girl, with one brother living elsewhere — to a single mother, Cruz knew he had to help his family to heat their home. They were poor, but the land provided. "If you wanted to eat," Cruz said, "you didn't need a hunting license — you already had your Washoe license." From an early age he gathered wood from the forests and he and his siblings would then bring the split wood to their granny's home. Cruz said when he was younger tribal members used to go into the forest and gather wood, but it was hard on automobiles and the people. He would load the logs into his brother's wood splitter, then he'd grab the handle and try to let the machine do the work. Cruz said his sister, then 16, came over and said "What are you doing?" She showed him how to split the wood. As one of their chores, he and his siblings would bring the cut logs back to their home and then to their granny and aunts' homes to stack in the woodshed. Almost 40 years later, not much has changed for the Washoes - nor the thousands of Native Americans using wood as their primary heating source. The Census Bureau estimates that 1.9% – or more than 2.3 million households – use wood as a primary heating source. However, in counties with a high percentage of tribal communities, that number often exceeds 30% of households. Cruz, now 56 and the Washoe Tribal Road Department director, oversees the delivery of firewood to roughly 111 elders through the tribe's wood bank. To get the amount of wood needed, the Washoe tribe partnered with the National Forest Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the U.S. National Forest Service, and others to cut and bundle logs collected on federal lands and deliver the resulting firewood. While gathering enough wood to heat tribal homes is the priority, the collaboration also helps reduce wildfires in the area. An elegant solution to multiple challenges In 2018 tribal members invested in a truckload of wood for Tribal elders, and the program had such high demand that in 2021 members volunteered to take logs damaged by the Tamarack Fire from the U.S. Forest Service. The tribe processed and bundled the wood and completed the project in 1.5 years, grant administrator Linda Tobey said. In the process, they sold enough firewood to sustain the wood crew's salaries. One-third of Native households on Tribal lands live in poverty, compared with 18% of households nationwide, according to a 2024 fact sheet on Native housing from the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Families living on tribal lands are almost five times more likely to live in poor housing conditions compared with the general population and 1,200 times more likely to live in homes with heating issues. Tribes across the country are increasingly turning to wood for heat. At least 66% of Navajo and Hopi tribes use wood to heat their homes. The closing of the Kayenta coal mine in Northern Arizona has pushed more people to use wood for heating, even though it's a more expensive alternative. The first year the mines closed, KNAU Arizona Public Radio reported elders were "burning their clothes" and burning weed to heat their homes. About 70% of Washoe members heat their homes with firewood and another form of fuel and 33% heat their homes solely with firewood, according to the tribe. At the same time the National Forest Foundation, which started its Wood for Life program in 2020, saw an opening. The foundation, the non-profit arm of the U.S. Forest Service, needed to thin trees in the forests near the Washoes due to wildfires. More than 6,000 wildfires have scorched nearly 1 million acres in California – very close to the average of about 950,000 acres, according to data from CAL FIRE. Thinning the forests can help reduce the risk, of wildfires, but discarding the logs was an issue - until the partnership with the tribes started. Now the foundation provides wood to 8 tribes, including the Navajo, Ute and Washoe, across Northern Arizona, California, New Mexico, Colorado, and Idaho. Katlyn Lonergan, 29, the Eastern Sierra & Great Basin program coordinator for the National Forest Foundation said the biggest hurdle to tribal communities getting wood is transportation. Moving 25-ton truckloads of wood from forests to processing banks requires significant resources and coordination, Lonergan said. The tribes and NFF work together to move the logs and deliver them to the Washoe wood yard. "It becomes a win-win-win," Lonergan said. Coming full circle Cruz said there is now more interest in Native American traditions and practices among the current generation, which he believes, in part, has ignited interest in continuing to use wood. The Washoe tribe has a deeply intertwined relationship with fire, considering it an essential part of their lives, using it for warmth, cooking and land management. Fire meant home, where there was always something cooking on an open flame like beans or tea, and was used to cultivate their lands. He points to his sons, now 35 and 26, who have embraced their Native American heritage even more strongly than their father. His youngest is a head fireman in the Native American church ceremonies. Washoe Elder Violet Pete, 69, told CBS News the crackle of burning wood has been the soundtrack to her life. In her childhood, the wood stove wasn't just a source of heat — it was the heart of their home. Her mother cooked everything on it: fried potatoes, pan bread, and whatever meat was available, often deer or rabbit stored in their outdoor "cool box." Pete said the wood program connects her to her past and represents more than just practical assistance — it's family taking care of family, a core value in their community. "If I didn't have that wood, I'd still be having to go find someone to get me wood or have to go buy wood just to stay warm because that's my main source of staying warm," she said. Elder Eileen Mazy, who used to run a family woodcutting company, is particularly grateful for the program. When her husband's back surgery last year prevented them from cutting wood, the tribe's elder wood program became a lifeline. "I was never so thankful," she said the program helped them "survive, live and stay warm." Watch: Trump's full address to Congress Ex-Army recruiter flees state with 17-year-old girlfriend after estranged wife's murder Takeaways from Trump's joint address to Congress
CBS News
07-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
How wood gathered from federal forests heats Native American homes — and can help reduce wildfires
Growing up on the Washoe tribal land spread across Nevada and California known as Hung-A-Lel-Ti territory, Kenneth Cruz started splitting wood when he was around 12. The youngest of eight — seven boys and one girl, with one brother living elsewhere — to a single mother, Cruz knew he had to help his family to heat their home. They were poor, but the land provided. "If you wanted to eat," Cruz said, "you didn't need a hunting license — you already had your Washoe license." From an early age he gathered wood from the forests and he and his siblings would then bring the split wood to their granny's home. Cruz said when he was younger tribal members used to go into the forest and gather wood, but it was hard on automobiles and the people. He would load the logs into his brother's wood splitter, then he'd grab the handle and try to let the machine do the work. Cruz said his sister, then 16, came over and said "What are you doing?" She showed him how to split the wood. As one of their chores, he and his siblings would bring the cut logs back to their home and then to their granny and aunts' homes to stack in the woodshed. Almost 40 years later, not much has changed for the Washoes - nor the thousands of Native Americans using wood as their primary heating source. The Census Bureau estimates that 1.9% – or more than 2.3 million households – use wood as a primary heating source. However, in counties with a high percentage of tribal communities, that number often exceeds 30% of households. Cruz, now 56 and the Washoe Tribal Road Department director, oversees the delivery of firewood to roughly 111 elders through the tribe's wood bank. To get the amount of wood needed, the Washoe tribe partnered with the National Forest Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the U.S. National Forest Service, and others to cut and bundle logs collected on federal lands and deliver the resulting firewood. While gathering enough wood to heat tribal homes is the priority, the collaboration also helps reduce wildfires in the area. An elegant solution to multiple challenges In 2018 tribal members invested in a truckload of wood for Tribal elders, and the program had such high demand that in 2021 members volunteered to take logs damaged by the Tamarack Fire from the U.S. Forest Service. The tribe processed and bundled the wood and completed the project in 1.5 years, grant administrator Linda Tobey said. In the process, they sold enough firewood to sustain the wood crew's salaries. One-third of Native households on Tribal lands live in poverty, compared with 18% of households nationwide, according to a 2024 fact sheet on Native housing from the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Families living on tribal lands are almost five times more likely to live in poor housing conditions compared with the general population and 1,200 times more likely to live in homes with heating issues. Tribes across the country are increasingly turning to wood for heat. At least 66% of Navajo and Hopi tribes use wood to heat their homes. The closing of the Kayenta coal mine in Northern Arizona has pushed more people to use wood for heating, even though it's a more expensive alternative. The first year the mines closed, KNAU Arizona Public Radio reported elders were "burning their clothes" and burning weed to heat their homes. About 70% of Washoe members heat their homes with firewood and another form of fuel and 33% heat their homes solely with firewood, according to the tribe. At the same time the National Forest Foundation, which started its Wood for Life program in 2020, saw an opening. The foundation, the non-profit arm of the U.S. Forest Service, needed to thin trees in the forests near the Washoes due to wildfires. More than 6,000 wildfires have scorched nearly 1 million acres in California – very close to the average of about 950,000 acres, according to data from CAL FIRE. Thinning the forests can help reduce the risk, of wildfires, but discarding the logs was an issue - until the partnership with the tribes started. Now the foundation provides wood to 8 tribes, including the Navajo, Ute and Washoe, across Northern Arizona, California, New Mexico, Colorado, and Idaho. Katlyn Lonergan, 29, the Eastern Sierra & Great Basin program coordinator for the National Forest Foundation said the biggest hurdle to tribal communities getting wood is transportation. Moving 25-ton truckloads of wood from forests to processing banks requires significant resources and coordination, Lonergan said. The tribes and NFF work together to move the logs and deliver them to the Washoe wood yard. "It becomes a win-win-win," Lonergan said. Coming full circle Cruz said there is now more interest in Native American traditions and practices among the current generation, which he believes, in part, has ignited interest in continuing to use wood. The Washoe tribe has a deeply intertwined relationship with fire, considering it an essential part of their lives, using it for warmth, cooking and land management. Fire meant home, where there was always something cooking on an open flame like beans or tea, and was used to cultivate their lands. He points to his sons, now 35 and 26, who have embraced their Native American heritage even more strongly than their father. His youngest is a head fireman in the Native American church ceremonies. Washoe Elder Violet Pete, 69, told CBS News the crackle of burning wood has been the soundtrack to her life. In her childhood, the wood stove wasn't just a source of heat — it was the heart of their home. Her mother cooked everything on it: fried potatoes, pan bread, and whatever meat was available, often deer or rabbit stored in their outdoor "cool box." Pete said the wood program connects her to her past and represents more than just practical assistance — it's family taking care of family, a core value in their community. "If I didn't have that wood, I'd still be having to go find someone to get me wood or have to go buy wood just to stay warm because that's my main source of staying warm," she said. Elder Eileen Mazy, who used to run a family woodcutting company, is particularly grateful for the program. When her husband's back surgery last year prevented them from cutting wood, the tribe's elder wood program became a lifeline. "I was never so thankful," she said the program helped them "survive, live and stay warm."
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Year of the Snake
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! Year of the Snake Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel Editor: Amanda Rafkin OTIS (56D: Milo's canine companion) The Adventures of Milo and OTIS is a 1986 Japanese movie about an orange tabby cat named Milo and a pug named OTIS. An English-language version of the movie, narrated by Dudley Moore, was released in 1989. My cat, Willow, is delighted to learn about Milo. She's reserving judgment about OTIS until she has more information. MILAN (5A: City where Prada was founded) Milan is the second-largest city in Italy, following Rome, the country's capital. MILAN is considered the fashion capital of Italy. The luxury fashion house Prada was founded in MILAN in 1913 by Mario Prada. ULNA (17A: Elbow-to-wrist bone) Humans have two elbow-to-wrist bones, the ULNA and the radius. ULNA is, of course, the one that fits here. PASTA (18A: Orzo or orecchiette) Orzo is rice-shaped PASTA. Orecchiette is a small PASTA that derives its name from the Italian words for "ear" (orechhia) and "small" (-etta). PIT BULL TERRIER (20A: Medium-sized muscular dog) The PIT BULL TERRIER is one of multiple dog breeds that are sometimes referred to as PIT BULLs (which isn't a breed classification). PIT BULL TERRIERs are a cross between bulldogs and TERRIERs. These dogs often get a bad rap for being aggressive, as some of them have historically been bred to fight, but breed isn't an indicator of aggression. PIT BULL TERRIERs are playful, intelligent, and friendly. TEA (23A: Drink served with lo mai gai) Lo mai gai is a dish in Chinese cuisine. It consists of glutinous rice filled with chicken and other ingredients, which are wrapped in a grape leaf or dried lotus leaf, and then steamed. LAOS (42A: Asian country home to the Pha That Luang temple) LAOS is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. Its capital is Vientiane. Pha That Luang is a Buddhist stupa (a mound-like building used as a place of meditation) in Vientiane, LAOS. HYDE (45A: Jekyll's evil side) Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HYDE first appeared as characters in the 1886 novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HYDE. Mr. HYDE was the evil alter ego of Dr. Jekyll. These characters have appeared in numerous adaptations of the novella. TAHOE (61A: Lake sacred to the Washoe) The Washoe are Indigenous people who have lived in the area around Lake TAHOE (which is located on the California-Nevada border) for thousands of years. The name of Lake TAHOE is derived from the Washo word for lake. (Washo is the language spoken by the Washoe people.) LEAD (65A: Element with the symbol Pb) The chemical symbol of LEAD is derived from the Latin word, "plumbum." I'm always happy to see science clues in the puzzle. ANTS (66A: Insects with a sweet tooth) This clue made me smile, because I've never thought about ANTS' preference for sweet foods as a "sweet tooth," but it certainly fits. Not all ANTS have a sweet tooth, some ANTS prefer salty foods or protein or fat. Many species of ANTS are exceptional at detecting sugar, which provides energy for them. OSLO (68A: Capital city with the world's oldest ski museum) Our crossword friend OSLO (making its second appearance of the year today) is the capital of Norway. OSLO is home to the Holmenkollen Ski Museum, which includes an exhibition of 2,500 pairs of skis. PARMESAN (38A: Substitute for Pecorino Romano) PARMESAN and Pecorino Romano are hard Italian cheeses. PARMESAN is made from cow's milk, while Pecorino Romano is made from sheep's milk. HE'S (45D: "___ Just Not That Into You") HE'S Just Not That Into You is a 2004 self-help book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo. The book was adapted into a 2009 movie of the same name. MEZCAL (48D: Smoky agave liquor) The sap of the agave plant is fermented to make an alcoholic beverage called pulque, which is distilled to produce the spirit, MEZCAL. Tequila is MEZCAL made from a variety of the plant known as blue agave. All tequila is MEZCAL, but not all mezcal is tequila. A LA (60D: Arroz ___ cubana) Arroz A LA cubana is a rice dish that originated in Cuba, and typically consists of white rice, tomato sauce, and a fried egg. The dish often includes a fried plantain as well. A few other clues I especially liked: SANDS (67A: Smooths with gritty paper) RELIEF (2D: "Load off your mind" feeling) LOST (7D: In need of directions) PIT BULL TERRIER (20A: Medium-sized muscular dog) PLANT MANAGER (38A: One overseeing an assembly line) EYES ON THE PRIZE (55A: "Focus on your goal!") YEAR OF THE SNAKE: The first word of each theme answer can be paired with the word SNAKE. This gives us SNAKE PIT, SNAKE PLANT, and SNAKE EYES. I've been looking forward to this puzzle. Today is the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, and Zhouqin often does a puzzle to mark this holiday. You can read my synopses of past puzzles: "Happy Spring Festival" (2021), "Year of the Tiger" (2022), "Year of the Rabbit" (2023). I'm noticing we didn't get a puzzle last year for Year of the Dragon, so I'm especially happy to see today's puzzle. As of today, we are in the "Year of the Snake." Thank you, Zhouqin, for this timely puzzle. As a bonus, I'm sharing a picture of my SNAKE PLANT with you. It got so tall, we had to take it off of the plant stand and set it on the floor. USA TODAY's Daily Crossword Puzzles Sudoku & Crossword Puzzle Answers This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Crossword Blog & Answers for January 29, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Year of the Snake
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! Year of the Snake Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel Editor: Amanda Rafkin OTIS (56D: Milo's canine companion) The Adventures of Milo and OTIS is a 1986 Japanese movie about an orange tabby cat named Milo and a pug named OTIS. An English-language version of the movie, narrated by Dudley Moore, was released in 1989. My cat, Willow, is delighted to learn about Milo. She's reserving judgment about OTIS until she has more information. MILAN (5A: City where Prada was founded) Milan is the second-largest city in Italy, following Rome, the country's capital. MILAN is considered the fashion capital of Italy. The luxury fashion house Prada was founded in MILAN in 1913 by Mario Prada. ULNA (17A: Elbow-to-wrist bone) Humans have two elbow-to-wrist bones, the ULNA and the radius. ULNA is, of course, the one that fits here. PASTA (18A: Orzo or orecchiette) Orzo is rice-shaped PASTA. Orecchiette is a small PASTA that derives its name from the Italian words for "ear" (orechhia) and "small" (-etta). PIT BULL TERRIER (20A: Medium-sized muscular dog) The PIT BULL TERRIER is one of multiple dog breeds that are sometimes referred to as PIT BULLs (which isn't a breed classification). PIT BULL TERRIERs are a cross between bulldogs and TERRIERs. These dogs often get a bad rap for being aggressive, as some of them have historically been bred to fight, but breed isn't an indicator of aggression. PIT BULL TERRIERs are playful, intelligent, and friendly. TEA (23A: Drink served with lo mai gai) Lo mai gai is a dish in Chinese cuisine. It consists of glutinous rice filled with chicken and other ingredients, which are wrapped in a grape leaf or dried lotus leaf, and then steamed. LAOS (42A: Asian country home to the Pha That Luang temple) LAOS is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. Its capital is Vientiane. Pha That Luang is a Buddhist stupa (a mound-like building used as a place of meditation) in Vientiane, LAOS. HYDE (45A: Jekyll's evil side) Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HYDE first appeared as characters in the 1886 novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HYDE. Mr. HYDE was the evil alter ego of Dr. Jekyll. These characters have appeared in numerous adaptations of the novella. TAHOE (61A: Lake sacred to the Washoe) The Washoe are Indigenous people who have lived in the area around Lake TAHOE (which is located on the California-Nevada border) for thousands of years. The name of Lake TAHOE is derived from the Washo word for lake. (Washo is the language spoken by the Washoe people.) LEAD (65A: Element with the symbol Pb) The chemical symbol of LEAD is derived from the Latin word, "plumbum." I'm always happy to see science clues in the puzzle. ANTS (66A: Insects with a sweet tooth) This clue made me smile, because I've never thought about ANTS' preference for sweet foods as a "sweet tooth," but it certainly fits. Not all ANTS have a sweet tooth, some ANTS prefer salty foods or protein or fat. Many species of ANTS are exceptional at detecting sugar, which provides energy for them. OSLO (68A: Capital city with the world's oldest ski museum) Our crossword friend OSLO (making its second appearance of the year today) is the capital of Norway. OSLO is home to the Holmenkollen Ski Museum, which includes an exhibition of 2,500 pairs of skis. PARMESAN (38A: Substitute for Pecorino Romano) PARMESAN and Pecorino Romano are hard Italian cheeses. PARMESAN is made from cow's milk, while Pecorino Romano is made from sheep's milk. HE'S (45D: "___ Just Not That Into You") HE'S Just Not That Into You is a 2004 self-help book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo. The book was adapted into a 2009 movie of the same name. MEZCAL (48D: Smoky agave liquor) The sap of the agave plant is fermented to make an alcoholic beverage called pulque, which is distilled to produce the spirit, MEZCAL. Tequila is MEZCAL made from a variety of the plant known as blue agave. All tequila is MEZCAL, but not all mezcal is tequila. A LA (60D: Arroz ___ cubana) Arroz A LA cubana is a rice dish that originated in Cuba, and typically consists of white rice, tomato sauce, and a fried egg. The dish often includes a fried plantain as well. A few other clues I especially liked: SANDS (67A: Smooths with gritty paper) RELIEF (2D: "Load off your mind" feeling) LOST (7D: In need of directions) PIT BULL TERRIER (20A: Medium-sized muscular dog) PLANT MANAGER (38A: One overseeing an assembly line) EYES ON THE PRIZE (55A: "Focus on your goal!") YEAR OF THE SNAKE: The first word of each theme answer can be paired with the word SNAKE. This gives us SNAKE PIT, SNAKE PLANT, and SNAKE EYES. I've been looking forward to this puzzle. Today is the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, and Zhouqin often does a puzzle to mark this holiday. You can read my synopses of past puzzles: "Happy Spring Festival" (2021), "Year of the Tiger" (2022), "Year of the Rabbit" (2023). I'm noticing we didn't get a puzzle last year for Year of the Dragon, so I'm especially happy to see today's puzzle. As of today, we are in the "Year of the Snake." Thank you, Zhouqin, for this timely puzzle. As a bonus, I'm sharing a picture of my SNAKE PLANT with you. It got so tall, we had to take it off of the plant stand and set it on the floor. USA TODAY's Daily Crossword Puzzles Sudoku & Crossword Puzzle Answers This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Crossword Blog & Answers for January 29, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher
