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

Each year at Betmet, the ancient village site of the Wiyot Tribe located at the South Spit, there is a celebration for the Elders of the Wiyot Tribe. It's a time for elders to come together and celebrate their history and culture by sharing pictures, memories, remembering traditional dance, and songs while enjoying a luncheon prepared for the occasion. The Wiyot Cultural Committee voted to celebrate this year's (2009) Elders' Gathering on the July 25th, 2009.  It was a perfect day, a nice crowd of people, there was a great array of delicious food, lots of laughter and a Brush Dance demonstration.  The Brush Dance demonstration was led by Gary Markussen, cultural consultant, and the dance was performed Wiyot children and others.

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

Below Dancer: 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.