KIXE PREMIERES HISTORY OF TULELAKE SETTLERS

On July 4, 2005 KIXE-TV, Channel 9 will premiere a locally produced history of the Tulelake settlers at 8 PM.  It is also scheduled for 10 AM on July 4.  HOMESTEADING IN A PROMISED LAND tells the 100 year old story of white settlers in the Tulelake Basin.  It was produced by nationally known photographer and filmmaker Anders Tomlinson, and Jacqui Newkirk Krizo, a Tulelake homesteader’s daughter.

“A new life, a fresh start, a pioneer’s dream” was the Tulelake Basin in the early 1900s.  It was one of the last American communities created in the West.  Tulelake was a lake held captive in a high desert basin surrounded by volcanic peaks.  The U.S. Reclamation Act of 1902 led to the Klamath Project of 1906 which would enable 312,000 acres of fertile land to be permanently irrigated for farming.  Settlers build a system to re-route and store the water.  As land became available, WWI and WWII veterans were invited to move west, build a farm and feed America for the rest of their lives.

IN HOMESTEADING IN A PROMISED LAND, Tulelake settlers and their families tell the story of how they began with nothing but a reclaimed lake bed, and built churches, schools, stores, roads, and an entire farming community.  They share their hopes, dreams and hard work in this soulful rendering of the story of a forgotten corner of California.

Over 70 Tulelake citizens participated in the film project and more than 16 local businesses sponsored its production.  Lars Larson, Portland radio KXL talk show host, Tulelake resident Bill Quinn and Mildred Tofell from Malin are narrators.

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