𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘄𝘂𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗸𝗹𝗵: Wiyot Tribe Receives Largest Land Return in Modern History

November 14, 2024

Reclaiming Ancestral Lands: The Wiyot Tribe’s Historic Return of 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘄𝘂𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗸𝗹𝗵

The Wiyot Tribe in Humboldt County, California, celebrated the return of 357 acres of ancestral land, marking the largest single land transfer to the Tribe in recent history. This historic event is a significant milestone in the Wiyot people’s ongoing efforts to reclaim their traditional territories and restore the balance disrupted by centuries of settler colonialism.

The land, formerly known as the Samoa Dunes and Wetlands Conservation Area, has been returned to its original caretakers and restored to its traditional name, 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘄𝘂𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗸𝗹𝗵.

𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘄𝘂𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗸𝗹𝗵 with its open dunes, rare coastal forest, seasonal wetlands, and wildlife habitats, is a milestone in the tribe’s efforts to reclaim ancestral lands and restore balance disrupted by colonial practices. It also provides access to Wigi (Humboldt Bay) and Shou’r (the Pacific Ocean), places of deep cultural significance for Wiyot People.

Despite significant progress, including the returns of Tuluwat Island, Mouralherwaqh, and now Digawututklh, the Wiyot Tribe still owns less than 1% of their ancestral lands. Lauren Schmitt reports…

𝗔𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘄𝘂𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗸𝗹𝗵: The Wiyot Tribe’s reclaimed coastal dunes and rare forest ecosystem.