The Living Biographies Project
Stories help create a more inclusive narrative
Humboldt County is home to the vital California Indian cultures of the Wiyot, Yurok, Hoopa, Karuk and Tolowa tribes. Yet to many outside the Indian communities of the area, these peoples are seen as stereotypes or, worse yet, not seen at all. When Project Coordinator Chag Lowry, raised in the Mountain Maidu tradition, became involved with the Living Biographies Project of Humboldt County, he hoped to realize two ambitious goals. First, he sought to create awareness of the North Coast native community among non-native peoples. Second, he wanted to offer tribal youth an opportunity to learn about their own culture: the wisdom of their elders, their vanishing languages and the traditions that struggle to survive against enormous odds. So Lowery involved young people in interviewing over 32 living elders representing each of the existing area tribes. Then, working with the young videographers and KEET professionals, he produced eleven separate half-hour programs bringing the stories of the elders and their rich culture to the general viewing audience. Indeed, many now say that the Living Biographies Project brought contemporary Indian voices in front of the people of Humboldt County for the first time. One participant noted that "for a community that may not have seen Indians other than on TV killing people or among the ten most-wanted in the county -- a native talking about how great the culture is -- it's positive, not only for the native community but for the entire community." For the young videographers, the project opened the door to a new appreciation for what their elders have to teach them about their history and culture.
Said one young participant, "I think we need to listen to what our elders have to say, they know a lot. I've done a lot of interviews now, and I still am amazed that I got to meet these people. It's very special."