“Get Outta Town” is normally a guide to recreation, festivals and fairs, but once in awhile, I like to throw a curve ball. Remember the Yo-Yo Contest, the American Kennel Club Master National Hunting Test and the Dutch Oven Cook-off?
I think getting out of town should be an opportunity to learn something new, make a contribution to the community and connect with each other and our history. So, in that spirit, I offer another unconventional weekend event: Humboldt County’s Indian Island Candlelight Vigil.
In February 1860, during the World Renewal Ceremony — an annual, 10-day ceremonial dance of the Wiyot people to celebrate the new year — 100 American Indian women, children and elders were massacred. Settlers who had paddled to the island slayed them as the tribe’s men were away replenishing supplies.
Indian Island, in Humboldt Bay, has always been a sacred site to the Wiyot people and the resting place of centuries of Wiyot ancestors. Every year since 1992, 500 members of Table Bluff Reservation-Wiyot Tribe and the Humbolt County community have come together for an evening of silence, prayer, song and poetry to remember those who lost their lives in the 1860 Indian Island Massacre. A fire is lit, a Wiyot elder lights a candle from the fire and from that candle all candles are lighted.
About Indian Island:
Indian Island, or Duluwat Island, is located on Humboldt Bay within the City of Eureka. Indian Island, with its ancient shell mounds and rich history, remains an important symbol for many Northern California Native Americans. The Wiyot Tribe returned to the Island in 2000 with the purchase of a 1.5-acre parcel. In May of 2004, The Eureka City Council made history when they unanimously approved a resolution to return 40 acres, comprising the northeastern tip of Indian Island, to the Wiyot Tribe.
After 140 years, the tribe has begun cleanup and restoration of the land, and are seeking to reestablish its cultural connection to the island by once again hosting the World Renewal Ceremony on original locations with plans to build a place where traditional ceremonies can be restored to the island.
What: Indian Island Candlelight Vigil
When: Saturday (Feb. 26) – at dusk
Where: West end of Woodley Island in Humboldt Bay between Eureka and Samoa
Directions: Take the Samoa Bridge (Hwy. 255) from Eureka and exit at Woodley Island. Drive all the way and park at the west end, then walk a few yards north of the Fisherman’s Memorial Statue.
Bring a candle.
Visit the following sites for information about events in eleven north state counties:
Click here for Butte County events.
Click here for Del Norte County events.
Click here for Glenn County Events.
Click here for more Humboldt County events.
Click here for Lassen County events.
Click here for Modoc County events.
Click here for Plumas County events.
Click here for Shasta County events.
Click here for Siskiyou County events.
Click here for Tehama County events.
Click here for more Trinity County events.
Adam Mankoski enjoys experiencing and writing about the people, places and things that embody the free spirit of the State of Jefferson. He and his partner own HawkMan Studios and are the creators of Redding’s 2nd Saturday ArtHop. Email your NorthState weekend events to adamm.anewscafe@gmail.com.
This portrait of Adam Mankoski was created by Shasta High School students Chance Norman and Kenzi Bell.
A News Cafe, founded in Shasta County by Redding, CA journalist Doni Greenberg, is the place for people craving local Northern California news, commentary, food, arts and entertainment. Views and opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of anewscafe.com.
