Embark on a Journey of Renewal:
Salmon Ceremony Oral Histories Revealed in Interactive Exhibit

Developed in collaboration between the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria and the Humboldt Area Peoples Archive (HAPA), the new exhibit invites visitors to delve into the intricate interplay between activism, environmental stewardship, and cultural collaboration. The evening will commence with a special speech (need more reveal of who is speaking) promising an unforgettable experience for all attendees. This exhibit explores the revitalization of the Salmon Ceremony by the Bear River Band at the mouth of the Mattole River in Petrolia. The Bear River Band consists of seven federally recognized tribes: Wiyot, Nongatl, Whilkut, Sinkiyone, Lassic, Bear River, and Mattole.  

The exhibit includes the voices of Ruth Wortman and Barry Brenard, cultural coordinators for the Bear River Band, speaking about the meaning of the Salmon Ceremony which existed for generations before falling away in 1958 during the termination era. In recent decades, the Bear River Band has taken steps to revitalize its culture.

Since 1980, the Mattole Salmon Group, a local environmental nonprofit, has been working in the river to restore salmon habitat and populations which were negatively impacted from exploitative land management. They realized early on that in order to bring the salmon back from the brink of extinction for all peoples, there was a need to combine the spiritual connection of the indigenous people with Salmon together with science-based habitat and population enhancement activities they conducted. 

In 2021, a collaborative effort developed between the Bear River Band and the Mattole Salmon Group, leading to the revitalization of the Salmon Ceremony. Every year in the fall, wild Mattole chinook and coho salmon migrate into the river to spawn when the river breaches the sand bar, generally in November.  In April, steelhead salmon come in to spawn.  At both times, juvenile salmon make their way into the ocean to mature for several years.  Both events are celebrated in the Bear River Band Salmon Ceremony.

The Humboldt Area Peoples Archive developed the interactive exhibit in collaboration with the Bear River Band, Stacy Schaefer PhD, Ai Iwane, the Mattole Salmon Group and the Humboldt County Visitors Bureau. The Humboldt Area Peoples Archive developed the interactive exhibit in collaboration with the Bear River Band, Stacy Schaefer PhD, Ai Iwane, the Mattole Salmon Group and the Humboldt County Visitors Bureau.

The Humboldt Area Peoples Archive (HAPA) collects, preserves and makes accessible the histories of counterculture and back-to-the-land in Humboldt County from the 1960s to now. 

This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a  non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org. And with support from the Humboldt Area Foundation, Wild Rivers Community Foundation. Visit hafoundation.org

EXHIBIT OPENING
Eureka, 2024

EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS

STORY OF THE DRESS
by Ruth Wortman, Bear River Band
The story is one of two worlds: one world in Kansas, the other in  California. She is of many nations both native and non-native. She comes from the direction of the sun, born in Kansas city MO: the sun with the abalone and naw-set brings those worlds to gather.
She is of Yurok, Tolowa Dee-ni’, Karuk, Mattole, Wiyot descent: she has pine nut, bear grass, abalone to honor her bloodline. She has a deep application for all our mother has to offer, to honor the earth.

She has shells that look like roses, shells that look like butterflies, and her colors represent the beautiful reflecting rainbow because of the cultural differences and lack of understanding of who we are in the greater public. She weathers her own storms daily to feel seen and heard. Her dress brings her power and comfort. Her dress represents that beauty we see when the sun comes out after a storm and the rainbow appears and the butterflys fly.

Source: Ruth Worman, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria

BASKET
This burden basket was utilized while harvesting supplies in bulk materials,such as acorn, seafood; and collecting pinecone supplies.

Source: Barry Brenard, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria

DANCE FEATHERS
The Dance Feathers are a sign of protection for the ceremony and communication to (Yah Gowyah Nitcin, old man in the sky) in which the Condor Feathers take the prayers and songs to the Creator.

Source: Barry Brenard, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria

BOBCAT
The Bob Cat (yusun) is a significant part of the Medicine Persons Regalia because of their attributes of being able to walk silently within the realm of the two worlds.

Source: Barry Brenard, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria

MEDICINE MAN REGALIA
Source: Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria

Images credit: Ai Iwane, all rights reserved