Florence Jones and Caleen Sisk: Winnemem Healers

The legendary Winnemem Wintu healer, Florence Jones (1907-2003), passed on leadership of the Winnemem Wintu Tribe to Caleen Sisk over a decade ago. Although Chief Sisk is recognized the world over as a powerful indigenous leader, the U.S. government continues its failure to recognize the Winnemem Wintu. Could it be due to their determined opposition to Bureau of Reclamation plans to raise the height of Shasta Dam, which would flood most of the remaining Winnemem sacred places along the McCloud River in northern California? We have gone back into our archives to edit this 11-minute short film about the continuity of leadership among the Winnemem Wintu, one of the criteria for federal recognition. Enjoy.