This collection contains interviews from living indigenous community members from the Humboldt region. The oral histories provide a lived experience and insight to the cultures and history represented in the video series. Interviewees are from the Yurok, Wiyot, Karuk, Tolowa, and Hupa tribes. Topics in the collection include the Yurok language, culture, basketry and singing, the Yurok world view and traditions; Karuk veteran stories; Wiyot history and stories; Hupa history, culture and music and Tolowa history.

Chag Lowry is a descendent of Yurok (from his mother's family) and Mountain Maidu and Pit River Native American Ancestry (on his father's side) and grew up on the Susanville Indian Rancheria in North Eastern California. His interest in interviews developed from the stories he would hear from family members who were in military service during World War II. After interviewing Native American veterans he found that there was more to be explored about their life experience, culture, and their history particularly since many of his interviewees are not far removed from the past two generations who experienced oppression by non-Native contact in the late 1800's. Chag has an MA in Education and a BA in Journalism from Humboldt State University. (Paraphrased from Chag Lowry's Book The Original Patriots: Northern California Indian Veterans of World War Two).

1 cubic foot; 56 DVDs

Copyright has not been assigned to Humboldt State University. Permission to obtain copies of from the collection is available to a limited group of individuals. Please contact the Special Collections Librarian for more information.

Open for research by appointment. Can only be accessed in the Humboldt Room.