Wana Waixtishama

Wana Waixtishama is a program that was developed by two of our summer youth to teach other youth about traditional waterways, whitewater kayak skills, and Native languages.

In 2021, two youth were trained in whitewater rafting and participated in the Paddle Tribal Waters program preparing for the first descent down the Klamath River after the breach of dams. They had the opportunity to study abroad through World Class Academy, where they travelled to Chile to continue their formal education and develop their kayak skills on a daily basis in international waters.  What started as a youth run project, has turned into a cultural activity for youth in Warm Springs. 

The youth have raised over $12,500 to start their own kayak program, where they are assisting their peers in making a strong connection to their own waters through water education, whitewater kayaking, and conducting instruction to the program in Ichishkiin, one of the local tribal languages. The goal of the program is to establish their bond to water and culture, in turn making them lifelong water protectors. 

WSCAT is the fiscal sponsor for Wana Waixtishama and is able to accept donations on behalf of their program.