A Gathering in Smith River: Three Federally Recognized California Tribal Nations Celebrate the Designation of the First U.S. Indigenous Marine Stewardship Area Smith River, CA (December 7, 2023) – The Resighini Tribe of the Yurok People, Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation and Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria joined together in California to celebrate the designation of the first U.S. Indigenous Marine Stewardship Area – the first ever ocean protection area designated by Tribal governments in the United States.
cies, while implementing Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and Tribal science into The three-hour celebration, held at the Howonquet Hall Community manageCenter in Smith River on Wednesday afternoon, marked two months ment pracsince the historic designation was made in Sacramento on Indigenous Peoples Day. The Yurok-Tolowa-Dee-ni’ Indigenous Marine Steward- tices within the IMSA,” ship Area (IMSA) was designated on September 22, 2023. said Jeri The invite-only event was held in the early afternoon, featuring remarks Lynn from each of the respective tribal leaders, Jeri Lynn Thompson, Chair- Thompson, person of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, Fawn C. Murphy, Chairperson of Chairperson of the the Resighini Tribe of Yurok People, Garth Sundberg, Chairman and Robert Hemsted, Vice Chair of the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation. of the Trinidad Rancheria. The event is the culmination of years of hard “We are here today to celebrate a historic action which brings three work by the Tribes to build marine programs within their Tribal Governments, and to forge stronger relationships with the State. The IMSA Tribes together in the designation of the first U.S. Indigenous Marine Stewardship Area. The Trinidad Rancheria is honored to be a part of protects nearly 700 square miles of culturally significant ocean and this collaborative effort in the stewardship and management of our coastal territories for the neighboring Tribal Nations. ocean and coastal territory,” said Garth Sundberg, Chairman of the In total, more than 60 people, including Tribal and state representatives, Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria. and many community supporters were in attendance to joyfully honor the long-term Tribal stewardship and governance, which will apply Tra- Stretching from just south of Trinidad in Humboldt County up to the California and Oregon border – the Yurok-Tolowa-Dee-ni’ IMSA is ditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) within an important ancestral territory, as well as potential Tribal and State co-management of critical home to species of high cultural value to the Resighini Tribe of the Yurok People, Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation and Cher-Ae Heights Indian ecosystems. Community of the Trinidad Rancheria. The designation of the IMSA will help the Tribes protect cultural lifeways and economies while di“We are here today to celebrate the designation of the IMSA but it’s rectly addressing climate impacts, and support the state of California as equally important to acknowledge, and to celebrate, the inter-Tribal it works toward conservation goals by 2030. collaboration and partnership that has made this designation happen. We all share a common culture and way of life that needs protecting and we share the same desire to leave something for future generations Next steps for the Tribes include entering into an MOU that encompasses a statement of shared values and commitment to continue to to be proud of,” said Fawn C. Murphy, Chairperson of the Resighini work together and the development of Tribal Stewardship Plans. Tribe of Yurok People. “Our Tribes have a responsibility to steward, protect, and restore the ocean and coastal resources within our ancestral territories. We seek to establish long-term, consistent engagement with state and federal agen-
Learn more at www.trinidad-rancheria.org, www.resighinirancheria.com and at www.tolowa-nsn.gov.