The Sacred Lake

Lake Tahoe is sacred to the Wa-she-shu or Washoe people. Each spring family groups gathered at Da-ow-‘ah-ga or Lake Tahoe’s shore and offered blessings. Countless generations of children were taught by each family’s leader that their responsibilities included attitudes of respect, rededication, and thanksgiving. Blessings given at Outlet Point reinforced the Truckee River’s role in providing life downstream. Each blessing was spontaneous and acknowledged the life renewing quality of the streams entering the lake and the lake itself. In a welcome blessing by JoAnne Martinez on August 13, 2002, prayer was offered for the water, the place where the people came to bless the lake, the streams flowing into it, and the lake’s continuing blessings for people, plants, animals, and fish.

Sunnyside-Tahoe City, California · United States