Many Tahoe agencies are versed in giving land acknowledgements to the Washoe Tribe. That’s not nothing, Jones said. But she also says that land acknowledgements need to be a step in a larger effort that includes meaningful action. She told me the League to Save Lake Tahoe and the California Tahoe Conservancy have both included the Washoe Tribe in their work, outlining how their projects advance the Washoe Tribe’s timeless goal to take care of Lake Tahoe. She hopes more agencies will follow that example.
The Washoe Tribe doesn’t need to prove their commitment to Tahoe, but they’ve done so anyway. It’s days like this, training the next generation on stewardship of the ancient land, while also welcoming tourists to spend a day at the beach. Jones hopes the decision-makers in Tahoe see that, and perhaps one day, the tribe can do more than run the concessions. Perhaps one day soon, they could own and manage land in the Tahoe Basin. Jones said she hopes that’s the next step.