Stories of Wigi will collect and amplify stories that may have been lost to time, previously ignored, or are otherwise unknown.

Wigi, Soulatluk (the language of the Wiyot people) for Humboldt Bay, has shaped the experiences in this region since time immemorial.

Tranquil and tumultuous, holding stories and cultures that reflect this dynamism, Wigi’s history and future are stewarded by its inhabitants, past and present. We protect what we care about, and we orient ourselves to this through our experiences and by listening to our community's experiences.

Storytelling has long been used to protect important knowledge, express shared values, and ensure that those who inhabit this place after us are prepared for the cyclic nature of time. Stories of Wigi is a venue for all members of these lands that share space with Wigi to share their stories, and speak to our neighbors in time, telling them what is essential to us now.

By coming together to listen and share, we become a stronger community, more aware of the truths held by people we might never have met otherwise.

“Stories of Wigi is about listening to the land, the water, and to one another. All voices that rise from the bay hold layers of meaning, from resilience and joy to healing and understanding. Each person adds a thread to the larger tapestry of our community. By listening, we learn not only about Wigi’s history, but about ourselves and the future we’re shaping together.” -Toni Ramos Brown, Communications Director, Blue Lake Rancheria

Why is it important to share your story?

Humboldt’s history has been shaped by stories related to the timber and fishing industries, environmental movements, and the expansion of cannabis cultivation.

However, the stories shaped by Wigi run much deeper. From the past through the present to the future, there are voices and experiences that deserve our curiosity and attention.

Through this project, the Ink People will catalog and archive these stories and help bring them to light.

After stories are collected, we will collaborate with artists to create:

• Maps that group stories by themes, and show how they unfold on the landscape

• A book that compiles all stories, and includes visual art that brings the stories to life

• A listening booth at the Eureka Visitor Center — listen to the storytellers tell their own stories

• Permanent signage along the Jaroujiji | Eureka Waterfront and outside the Da Gou Rou Louwi’

These materials, filled with the rich narratives of our community, will be presented in gallery spaces in 2026, and made publicly available in businesses and destinations, creating a unique and immersive experience for all who visit Wigi and Jaroujiji.

Stories of Wigi will help bring to light narratives that may not be part of the better-known stories of our waterfront community, pulling back the layers of veiled knowledge brimming within our region with transformative potential. By sharing our stories, we can shift narratives, embark on a shared path of healing, and imagine new futures for our coast and ourselves.

Stories of Wigi in the News:

Art Attitude with Wendy Butler - Stories of Wigi Interview with project manager Matthew Morassutti

Redwood News - 'Stories Of Wigi' Project Launches to Illuminate Community Stories of Humboldt Bay

Mad River Union - Ink People launches ‘Stories of Wigi’

Redheaded Blackbelt - Stories of Wigi Project Launches to Preserve and Celebrate Voices of Humboldt Bay

The Stories of Wigi project is made possible in part by the California State Coastal Conservancy Coastal Stories Grant Program, and is in collaboration with many partners, including the Wiyot Tribe, Eureka Cultural Arts District, and the Ink People Center for Arts and Culture.

Thank you for joining us on this journey to discover and honor the life and land of Wigi.