This is a historically significant site on a 1.5 acre portion of a six acre shell mound (midden). It is located on the northeastern portion of Indian Island in Humboldt Bay, Eureka, CA. The midden is the historic location of the Tuluwat Village and the Center of Wiyot Universe. The midden, composed of shell and sand deposited over thousands of years and contains tools and other cultural artifacts, as well as human remains, is where they held the Annual World Renewal Ceremony. Remains in the midden have been carbon dated to 900 A.D.
In 1860, a tragic massacre occurred on the Site. Local settlers from the surrounding Eureka-Arcata area killed many members of the Wiyot Tribe and other area tribes under cover of night following a sacred gathering. Immediately following the massacre, the midden and surrounding area was used as a boat repair and maintenance facility. This operation continued through the 1970s under various owners. Ships were pulled ashore on steel way-runner rails and a variety of chemical wood preservatives and paints were applied.
The Wiyot Tribe purchased the Site in 2000 and has been working towards restoring it to its original condition, and resuming the historical use of the land as a sacred site in order to complete the World Renewal Ceremony. On March 26, 2013, OSCs Allen and Duncan met with Stephen Kullmann, Director of the Wiyot Tribe Environmental Department and visited the Site. The OSCs observed contaminated areas within the midden, including stressed vegetation and staining.
The Wiyot Tribe has exhausted all avenues of funding to renew their sacred ground on Indian Island. All that remains is the installation of an permeable cap atop the shell mound to prevent direct contact with the COPCs. Capping is the only viable alternative that would achieve renewal of this sacred ground and preserve the historical and culturally sensitive setting.
