About
Tusyi uwi! I’m Bridgy.
Tusyi uwi*, I’m Bridgy, a citizen of the amazing Pit River Nation, enrolled in the Illmawi Band. There are only 300 Illmawi in the world and I am one of them. I am, indeed, an Illmawi girl. Welcome to Pit River Stories: Field Notes for the Pit River Nation.
A rising high school senior, I am a member of the Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Class of 2025. Some of my activities include membership in National Honor Society; senator on Student Council; president of the Oklahoma Young Writers Workshop; president of the McGuinness Book Club; member of the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation Youth Advisory Board; a student member of the Indigenous Journalists Association; faithful member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (I served as an acolyte almost every Sunday during the pandemic!), and founder of End Native Overdose, an Oklahoma-based nonprofit with a nationwide project scope to end drug-related overdose among American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIAN). I have applied for 501 c3 membership with the IRS. Notification is pending.
Something else unique about me is that I am a competitive baton twirler. I’m the 2024 Senior Intermediate Winner of the Southwest Regional Baton Twirling Championships and the 2024 Oklahoma State 2- and 3-Baton Grand Champion. I have represented Oklahoma four times in national baton twirling pageants (beginner and intermediate) at Notre Dame University, and have earned about 75 titles from novice to advanced over the last 10 years. Following graduation in May 2025, I plan to attend college and major in broadcast journalism and political science. I might also like to teach someday.
Proud Citizen of the Pit River Nation
I am a proud member of the Pit River Nation, enrolled in the Illmawi Band. My grandmother, Madge Louise Wilson McCollum, was Achumawi. My grand parents were Herman Wilson and Laura Carmany Wilson. They were both Achumawi. My father, Robert McCollum, is half Achumawi, and I am one-quarter. My whole heart is Pit River Indian.
I live in Oklahoma, faraway from my ancestral roots. I am priveleged to have been able to visit my ancestral lands twice. I really hope to build a small cabin someday in Sam Wolfin Spring. My family and ancestors mean so much to me. I live in a state with a large Native population and I see the suffering all around me. This puts me in remembrance of the Pit River people — my family and ancestors — whom I love so much.
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Celebrate and Honor
Why I Created PitRiverStories.org
I wanted to celebrate the Pit River Nation. honor my family and ancestors, and spread hope and joy to Pit River people everywhere.
I wanted to preserve Pit River stories and photographs for future generations before any more are lost to the ages.
Mission
The mission of Pit River Stories is to gather and preserve Achumawi (Pit River Indian) memories, stories, photos and ephemera for future generations.
Vision
To celebrate, honor and inspire living generations of Pit River Indians. and bring healing to my family, fellow tribal members and ancestors.
Contact
Bridgy McCollum, Project Author
bridgy@pitriverstories.org
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Copyright Infringement, Source Citing, Plagiarism
Copyright Infringement, Source Citing, Plagiarism
Every effort is made not to plagiarize original, primary research. I am diligent about citing the original, primary sources of the information shared on this website. No copyright infringement is ever intended. If you are a journalist or researcher and believe I have improperly cited your work, please contact me immediately so I can correct it. Thank you, Bridgy
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About Bridgy
Hello, I'm Bridgy, founder and editor of Pit River Stories. I'm a Native Oklahoman; citizen of the United States of America, and the amazing Pit River Nation. I am enrolled in the Illmawi Band. A rising high school senior, I am a member of the Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Class of 2025.