Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

He’ba’lo’ greetings,

The above greeting is the Wiyot word for "hello!" I cannot describe the feeling in my heart to hear our language being spoken and now being written! A language that was almost lost because of genocide and slavery of our people. Our language and our Sacred Sites are the important links to our history and our ancestors. I feel such pride to say that we are learning, and we are teaching the Wiyot language to our young people.

As many of you know, the Wiyot Tribe is also pursuing the dream of re-acquiring our Sacred Sites. In March of 2000, we were successful in purchasing a 1.5-acre site where the village of Tuluwat once thrived (located on what is known as "Indian Island"). This Sacred Site is of enormous historical and cultural importance to us; it was a place where our ancestors gathered for their ceremonies. We are continuing our fundraising efforts to purchase additional Sacred Sites, as they become available.

I would like to invite you to our next fundraiser for the Wiyot Sacred Sites Fund. We will have a "live" and silent art auction that will feature the work of Native American artists. This unique art auction will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2001, at the Eureka Concert and Film Center, formerly known as the Eureka Theater. Preview of the art will be from 5:00 to 6:45 PM, and the live auction will begin at 7:30 PM. Delicious desserts and beverages will be served. This is our first art auction, and I think we will have a lot of fun, especially with our esteemed auctioneers, Jerry Simone and Vincent Feliz (both are from United Indian Health Services).

Many of our Native American artists have donated incredible pieces of art. Just to name a few, we will be auctioning a dress from the film lot "Naturally Native", a painting and sculpture by Brian D. Tripp, a basket by Leona Wilkinson, a painting by Alme Allen, a painting by Caren Wise entitled "The Raven" and much more. Also, there are three pieces from Douglas Ferrin. To view some of the art available, check out our web site under Sacred Site Fund. We will be updating the web site as art becomes available.

The cost of the admission, which also includes a bidding paddle, is $5.00 a person. To register early and be guaranteed a bidding paddle, please fill out the form below and mail to Table Bluff Reservation, 1000 Wiyot Drive, Loleta, CA 95551. Checks are made payable to Wiyot Sacred Site Fund.

We are a small nation with a big dream to re-acquire all that is sacred to us? our language, our history, our heritage, and our life-line. I look forward to the day that we can bring back our dances and ceremonies to the places where our ancestors once gathered for the same dances and ceremonies. Please help us live that dream.

And I look forward to seeing you at the Sacred Sites Art Auction on April 7th!

Cawoks,

Cheryl A. Seidner
Tribal Chairwoman