KAYLA ( HUPA ) & CARL BEGAY ( HUPA )
We ’ ve known each other a long time , through ceremonies and our ties to language and both being from Hoopa , but we got to be closer friends in recent years . I reached out to him and enjoyed talking to him while in the Bay Area for my Ph . D . After a time we were hanging out a lot and sharing time together but were in denial about how we felt . Leaving the first Rocklin Big Time , entering traffic , carpooling with him driving , I had to tell him my true feelings . It was probably the worst time , safety-wise . Carl , avoiding big rigs , for like an exit or two was quiet — speechless , is how he said he felt later — but then he had to say , “ Yes ! I feel the same way .” Once we were honest with each other about how we felt , love grew . November 14 , 2015 , we married in Hoopa near Ts ’ ilunding ( Norton Field ), surrounded by family and friends . Following our hearts has been one of the best decisions and has led to some of the best memories and times of our lives . We grow and believe in each other , and look forward to our future together . — Kayla
MAYMI PRESTON-DONAHUE ( KARUK / YUROK / PAIUTE / PIT RIVER ) & DENNIS DONAHUE ( KARUK / SHASTA )
We met at the Karuk Mountain Dance or Jump Dance . It was the first time either of us had danced . I was fourteen , Beau sixteen , and both totally awkward and psyched to be there . His best friend , who I had gone to school with since kindergarten , introduced us . This started off many years of getting in trouble for talking to each other while at a dance . Our relationship bloomed further during hour-long school bus rides along the windy Klamath and Trinity river roads all throughout high school . We have been together ( mostly ) for over fourteen years and we are now married with a toddler and a newborn . The best part about being married to another California Native person is that we totally understand where we are each coming from . We never have to negotiate our cultures and religions because they are the same . My husband totally understands and supports my need to learn and teach our children our Native languages because that is something he feels strongly about as well . Some of the language sources we draw from are from his late grandfather . Also , the places we hold sacred , our mountains and rivers , they are the same . Lastly , we both come from beautiful California tribes , so we knew we would be guaranteed to make gorgeous babies together . And we have . — Maymi
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