Wesley Dick vs United States

Our guest today is Wesley Dick. Wesley is a Northern Paiute traditional gatherer and craftsman. Wesley was cited by a Nevada game warden and fined $800 while gathering tules. Wesley said Native American gatherers and craftsmen should pay close attention to what is happening in the state of Nevada.

Dick, known as “Kwassuh” by his people, was gathering tule in the ceremonial way when he was cited by a Nevada game warden and given fines of $800 in May. For the past 18 years Kwassuh, 45, has worked an average of 170 hides a year of deer, moose, elk, buffalo and antelope in the traditional style of brain-tanning. Many items are made for powwow dancers, including moccasins, fan handles and hair wraps. He also makes items for ceremonies such as various sized hand drums. No chemicals are used, only natural elements such as the sun, water, brains, fire and stretching the hide by hand. This direct hands-on experience keeps him in touch with the spirituality of the animal hide that he works with.
Hide work is not a hobby, it is a way of life.

Join us as Wesley speaks out about the case against the Fish & Game and what the outcome could mean to his way of life.

Times:  5:30 ET.; 4:30 CT.; 3:30 MT.; 2:30 PT.