MISSION — Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation celebrated the Nixyaawii Root Feast on April 21.

The annual feast is a deeply significant tradition for the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla people.

More than 400 attendees gathered for a traditional Washat religious service that honors the “sister” roots and to express gratitude to the Creator and Mother Earth for the return of the First Foods, according to a

In preparation for the feast, 26 diggers ventured out to gather roots a few days prior.

Root digging in fields that have been harvested since time immemorial forms an integral part of the Columbia River Plateau tribes’ cultural heritage. More than just a food source, the roots symbolize sustenance and connection to the land and are gathered in

a manner deeply respectful of tradition and nature.

During the course of two days, the women and girls gathered with the hunters, fishers, and longhouse leaders for an early breakfast and songs to bless their efforts before traveling to the root field to dig roots all day. After gathering enough roots, the work shifted to peeling and cleaning each root in preparation for cooking.

Cooking the roots and other First Foods in the traditional manner involves days of hard work.

From April 17-21, gatherers, cooks, hunters and fishers worked together from early in the morning until late in the evening.

On the day of feast, cooks were at the longhouse before sunrise to begin final preparations for the big meal. Once prepared, the roots were brought inside the longhouse with the utmost reverence, reflecting the sacredness with which they are regarded.

While the women prepared the sister foods, the men prepared the brother foods of fish and meat over fires.

Leann Alexander, Indian name Tá’c Wiitpe (“A Good Place” in the Nez Perce language), has been harvesting sacred foods for longhouse feasts, ceremonies and community gatherings for years. Alexander (Cayuse, Walla Walla, and Oneida) said gathering First Foods is not only her honor, but her duty as a tribal woman.

“Upholding Tamánwit, the big law, is a huge responsibility,” she said. “The accountability is on all of us, as a family, to keep our promise to our Indian foods and this Indian land.”

Despite the labor-intensive nature of the preparations, the atmosphere at the feast was one of camaraderie, laughter and connection. The longhouse resonated with the sounds of singing and good-natured banter as community members came together to honor their traditions and nourish both body and soul.

“It’s a hard work, but also it’s work from the heart filled with love,” Alexander said. “I enjoyed the time shared together, singing, praying, and laughing — such good medicine. The feast was wonderful, it was great to see our community and visiting extended family members come together to honor our new foods.”