Wiyot Tribe

Community Education

Would your organization or school like to learn about Wiyot history and culture? The Community Education project can teach on a variety of topics, geared to your group's needs and interests. The Wiyot Tribe would like to offer its services to your classrooms or organizations in presenting Native perspectives on culture and history on the North Coast.  Wiyot ancestral lands extend from Little River to the north, Bear River Ridge to the south, and inland to Chalk Mountain and Berry Summit. This area was home to the Wiyot for thousands of years prior to Eurpoean settlement, and includes the entire Humboldt Bay region and associated waterways.

Native history is part of our shared heritage and community, and Wiyot culture remains living and dynamic to this day. The tribe would be pleased to share their stories with your group in an interactive setting. We can incorporate audio visual materials, examples of artifacts, and stories into any presentation. From environmental justice issues to state standards in public school curriculum, the tribe is pleased to come to your meetings or classroom.  Please contact us at 707-733-5055 or cultural@wiyot.us

 Wiyot Day

Wiyot Day was October 3rd, after the Semi-Annual meeting. There were vendors, staff department displays, flag ceremony by the Girl Scouts Troop #70060, Brush Dance Demonstration, Stick Game Demonstration, buffet and fireworks in the evening. 

Elders Ceremony

The Wiyot Tribe held their 4th Annual Elders Gathering on July 24th, 2010 at the Wiyot Tribe's Community Center located on the Table Bluff Reservation from 11-3pm.  This year's theme was "Honoring our Elder's Visions" whereby we asked Elders to provide a photo and a statement or quote of how they envision the Wiyot Tribe in the next 20 years.  Many of the attendees brought their pictures, unique photos for the tribe and Ben Brown, Registrar, took up to date pictures of Elders and other Tribal members to be included in the Archieve of Wiyot Photos.

The days events included: registration, photo booth, the welcoming was given by Ted Hernandez, language demonstration by Lynnika Butler, the Language Program Manager, the blessing of the event was given by Cheryl Seidner, lunch, gifts presented to the Elders by Ted Hernandez, and tribal dancing. 

Elders present and honored with blankets and pillowcases (the later were made by Melva Duclo and Cheryl Seidner) are:

Left to right back row: Cheryl Seidner, Ardith Huber, Linda Lange, Jon Kathman,Janyce Berens* Middle row: Manuel Moon Sr., Joycelyn Teague, Crystal Schafer, Karen Roberts*Front row: Claire Vinson, Evelyn Horn, Lola Woodhurst and Irene Carlson

 (below) Guests being attentive to Language presentation and food display

 (Above)Brush Dance demonstration group with cultural advisor, Gary Markussen (far right) and (far left) Ted Hernandez, Wiyot cultural advisor

Below demonstration Dancers: 2009 Brandon Volin on left and Chad Markussen on the right

Below Dancer: 2009 Charlie Markussen

Dancers below are:Brandon Volin, Michelle Hernandez, Frank Evenson, Elizabeth Hernandez, Gary Markussen, Jacquelene Markussen, Alan Miller, Keri Evenson, Matt Hernandez, Helen Evenson, Ted Hernandez, Pilar James, Alan Miller, Shanah James, Chad Markussen, Charlie Markussen, Aubrey Sherman, Wanda Hernandez, Michael Markussen, Scrigon Stokes

Below are Keri Evenson and Matt Hernandez

Above are Michelle Hernandez Elilzabeth Hernandez, Jacquelene Markussen, Keri Evenson, Helen Evenson, Pilar James, Shanah James, Aubrey Sherman, Wanda Hernandez

Please contact the Tribal Office for the 2010 Elders Ceremony date at 707-733-5055

Men's Camp

Men's Camp Motto: Wiyot Men's Camp purpose is to take care of the Elders and bring back our Culture

Men's Camp was started in 2006 by Ted Hernandez and Alan Miller to draw in the boys of the Wiyot Tribe both on and off the reservation and teach them how to work with wood, cut wood for elders, learn songs of old and drumming to accompany them. Men's camp has enlisted Bruce Kay to assist in teaching drumming and songs to the boys. They performed for Wiyot Day singing the "Coming Home" song led by Cheryl Seidner and Ted Hernandez. Contact Ted Hernandez by email; ted@wiyot.us or alan@wiyot.us for further information.

Pictured right is Phil Albers who is a drum maker. He presented the Wiyot Tribe with 3 drums he made out of elk skin. The skin is processed and stretched to fit the frame. Some skins are thinner, some thicker and the difference produces a different tone.

Indian Island Candlelight Vigil

An Indian Island Candlelight Vigil is held every February to remember those who lost their lives in the Massacre. The memorial was also set up to help heal the community. The first Vigil was held on the last Saturday of February in 1992. A vigil has been held each year since that time. With each year, the number of participants has grown. The first year there were 75 participants; in 1996, there were more than 300 people.

This Vigil may be the first memorial for the lives lost where the Wiyot, other Indian nations, and the non-Indian communities have come together. This process helps heal the whole community. A fire is lit. A Wiyot elder lights their candle from the fire and from that candle all candles are lit. A moment of silence is observed, a prayer is given remembering all who have gone before us, songs are sung, poems are read, and one leaves with a feeling of accomplishment.

February 27, 2010 The Wiyot Tribe set up at Woodley Island for the Candlelight Vigil.  It was expected to rain but the sun was shining and the wind blowing which was a blessing. There was a nice crowd all afternoon long awaiting the first Wiyot Bruch Dancers dance.  The potluck following the Vigil was a success; good conversations, food and song.