Oregon tribal judge acquits 17 of COVID-19 violations, ruling gathering was culturally essential
Updated 9:51 AM;
Today 9:51 AM
Toby Patrick, who hosted an Easter feast in April of 2020 that violated his tribes COVID-19 restrictions and led to citations for 17 Indians, stands next to his family s canvas longhouse at his home on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
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By Wil Phinney, Underscore.news
Last April, in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Toby Patrick hosted an Easter Day root feast at his home on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He knew there could be repercussions.
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation had postponed its own annual Root Feast, a large celebration of traditional foods, to limit the spread of COVID-19. But Patrick didn’t want to let the important time of year go unmarked. More than two dozen members of Patrick’s family gathered on April 18 to celebrate the coming of spring by honoring First Foods, such as t
This story originally appeared on Underscore.news.
Last April, in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Toby Patrick hosted an Easter Day root feast at his home on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He knew there could be repercussions.
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation had postponed its own annual Root Feast, a large celebration of traditional foods, to limit the spread of COVID-19. But Patrick didn’t want to let the important time of year go unmarked.
More than two dozen members of Patrick’s family gathered on April 18 2020 to celebrate the coming of spring by honoring First Foods, such as the couse root, also known as biscuitroot, and camas.