‘Piecing together a broken heart’: Native Americans rebuild territories they lost
Tribes across the US are buying back land lost during and after the colonization period on the open market
More than six decades after a 1,705-acre patchwork of meadows, wetlands and timberland in southern Oregon was taken from the Klamath Tribes, the Native American community has found its way back to the territory – by way of the real estate market.
Over the summer, the tribes discovered the land was up for sale, so as part of their large-scale effort to reacquire territory that was historically theirs, they prepared an offer. Although another buyer nearly swooped in, the tribes’ purchase more than doubles their current holdings, and extends their territory to the base of Yamsay Mountain, an important site for prayer and spiritual journeys for the community.
Related: ‘America, send us your ideas’: Biden pledges to protect 30% of US lands by 2030
