Willow Creek-China Flat Museum Announces First Exhibit in New Native Room May 2nd

This is a press release from the Willow Creek-China Flat Museum:

The Willow Creek-China Flat Museum is excited to announce their annual Opening Day which will be held on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026. This Opening Day will be a celebration of their newly constructed Native Room. The Native Room was built with the intention of having annually rotating exhibits focused on Indigenous Tribes of the region. The first ever exhibit in the Native Room is titled “The River Connects Us All.” This powerful exhibit will showcase contemporary regalia used in world renewal ceremonies. The stories and regalia on display are culturally significant for various tribes along the Trinity and Klamath Rivers. The river has provided sustenance and security here for millennia, and the local tribes have been in a long battle to protect it. The exhibit aims to show how the river does indeed connect us all.

The Museum is thrilled to announce that our keynote speaker for Opening Day is Susan Masten. Susan is a prominent Yurok tribal citizen, political activist, and advocate for Tribal and women’s rights. She will discuss the history of the efforts to protect the river and will also share the current success after the removal of the Klamath Dams. The successful dam removals began with the Fish Wars, and this is an honor and a rare opportunity to hear Susan share her first hand accounts of living through these dangerous and tumultuous times.

Through such troubled times and against all odds, partnerships have been created and a healing has begun in our rivers and in our communities.

There will be other speakers at the Opening Day. Bradley Marshall will introduce the exhibit, Allie Hostler will explain tribal water rights on the Trinity River, and the Tsnungwe will offer an opening welcome.

This event is free and open to the public. The Opening Ceremony begins at 10 am, followed by the opening of the museum, with food and beverages for sale.