Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a holiday that celebrates the Indigenous peoples of America and commemorates their shared history and culture. At Sanctuary One we honor the Latgawa, the original people of the sanctuary’s land.
“The Latgawa are half of a small linguistic family of two tribes: the Takelma on the east side of the Klamath and Coast Mountains in the middle Rogue River area around Grants Pass, Oregon; and the Latgawa in the upper Rogue River area around Applegate, Jacksonville, Talent, Medford, Eagle Point, Butte Falls, Shady Cove, Trail, and extending beyond Prospect and Union up to Crater Lake.”[1]
We are deeply appreciative that ten years ago, when Sanctuary One opened its 100 year old barn doors to begin our unique work, Agnes Baker Pilgrim, known as Grandma Aggie, blessed the farm and our work. She is the oldest member of her tribe, the Takelma. She was Elected Chairperson of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers at its founding in 2004. She has been honored as a “Living Treasure” by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz, and as a “Living Cultural Legend” by the Oregon Council of the Arts. She blessed us again at our ten year anniversary dinner this June.
Agnes Baker Pilgrim, known as Grandma Aggie, and Lloyd Matthew Haines, one of Sanctuary One’s founders
We believe it is essential in our mission to honor people, animals and the earth, that we honor and recognize our land’s history and present connection to the Indigenous people who first called the Applegate their home. Thank you to Grandma Aggie and others who guide us and journey with us in helping people find connections to one another, animals, and the earth.
[1] https://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2046.html
