|
Wiyot people have always
lived along the Pacific Ocean and around Humboldt Bay, and have long used the
waters of the bay, rivers, and coast for many purposes.
Fishing, hunting,
and gathering food and culturally significant materials are particularly
important to Tribal members who have long depended on fish and wildlife for
subsistence. Before the
damming of wetlands by European settlers, there were over 100 miles of
travelable waterway up into sloughs and creeks that empty into the bay.
These routes were means to reach important locations, such as other
ceremonial grounds and fishing places, with redwood canoes being the main method
of conveyance. Food resources such
as shellfish, crabs, seals, otter, fish, and eels were often harvested from the
rivers, bay, and mudflats in canoes. Basket
and textile materials such as tulle and willow root were, and still are,
collected from wetland and riparian habitats.
Fresh water, besides domestic uses, continues to be
important for ceremonies and food resources.
Water is essential in use of medicines, soaking basket materials,
leaching foods, such as acorns, and bathing the sick when in ceremonies, or when
used while fasting during ceremonies.
Water
pollution Control Program
Background
Tribe's
Water Resources The
Old Reservation
Threats
to the Old Reservation
Table Bluff Reservation Treats
to TBR Water
Indian
Island
Threats to Indian Island Water Water
Monitoring
|