What do you need to build a home? Traditionally, in these mountains, you just need community, ingenuity, and the confidence of a tree. This is an umacha, a traditional bark house of the park’s seven associated tribes: The Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, Bishop Paiute Tribe, Bridgeport Indian Colony, Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a, North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California, Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, and the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians. Construction begins with cedar poles secured by wild grapevines while the cedar bark plating must come from a carefully selected source. If the tree is only recently dead, the bark won’t easily separate into the convenient shape. If the tree has been dead too long, well, then you might carry that decay into the walls of your house. Wisdom suggests at least two years’ time for a deceased, old cedar works best; two years grant you the inheritance of a cedar’s resilient pride against the elements to shelter your family for years to come. You can find examples of umachas behind the Yosemite Museum in the Indian Village, a reconstruction from the 1970s of various native structures that have seen continuous use ever since for tribal events and ceremonies. Those of you #ParkedAtHome can click the link in our bio to read more about the Indian Village. But no matter where you may be this winter, an appreciation for the umacha isn’t far away. Just look around your own residence, wander its space, explore its features. It’s probably built out of something other than cedar bark and grapevines, but the sentiment is the same. It keeps the winter out. It keeps you in. It’s home, irrevocably so. We all know the notion of having - or sometimes, unfortunately, only wanting - a place to be. From this, perhaps we can work towards a more expansive generosity. #yosemitenps #yosemite