An early photo of the “Yurt” | Photos provided by CCAT
A somewhat historic outbuilding was torn down by Humboldt State University students earlier this semester, partly because the yurt-themed structure was deemed culturally insensitive.
Students with HSU’s Campus Center for Appropriate Technology first discussed the possibility of removing the “yurt” — located on the CCAT property next to the Behavioral and Social Sciences Building — last year, as it could be considered a form of appropriating Mongolian and Inner Asian cultures.
The “yurt” before it was completely demoed.
HSU’s student-run bilingual newspaper El Leñador first reported the news earlier this month, focusing mainly on the cultural appropriation aspect of the story. However, CCAT Co-Director Abbey Ramirez told the Outpost that the building was removed for several reasons.
“There were multiple reasons for taking it down, the primary reason being that this space, as well as the five garden beds next to it, have been agreed upon between CCAT and the Native American Studies Food Sovereignty Lab to be used as the FSL outdoor garden space, and no longer as a CCAT space,” Ramirez said. “With this new establishment of the FSL, it only became more and more blatant how the Mongolian yurt-styled structure was culturally inappropriate and odd to have in a space where traditional Wiyot food, practices, and culture will be centered. Other reasons for taking the building down had to do with structural and safety issues — particularly a rotting roof and floor.”
While keeping a Mongolian-themed yurt in a space that is now designated for the study of Indigenous natural resource management practices could be deemed culturally insensitive toward Indigenous Americans, CCAT representatives informed the Outpost that no people of Mongolian or Inner Asian heritage were asked what they thought of the structure.
In an effort to learn more about the issue, the Outpost reached out to UC Berkeley Tang Center for Silk Road Studies Program Director Franck Bille. Bille told the Outpost that he had never heard Mongolian people discuss cultural appropriation in the context of American-style yurts, which were popularized during the hippie movement of the 1960s and 70s and are now often used for “glamping” purposes across the country.
“Bear in mind that the yurt — ‘ger’ in Mongolian — is a dwelling that is found throughout the wider region of Inner Asia, including Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan,” Bille said.
Bille recommended that the Outpost pose this question to the public Facebook group “Mongolian Studies” to get a clearer understanding of how people of Mongolian heritage feel about American-made yurts.
The questions generated a few dozen responses on Facebook from people of Mongolian ancestry, many of whom expressed that the HSU “yurt” was too different from a traditional Mongolian ger to be considered a form of cultural appropriation. Group members also added that they’d like to see a more accurate, traditional yurt that include educational information about Mongolian and Inner Asian cultures.
With the “yurt” gone, HSU students are discussing a few different ideas for what to do with the empty space.
“There has been discussion about a traditional Wiyot structure being built, or potentially a greenhouse and toolshed,” Ramirez said.
No more “yurt.”
While the “yurt” was a popular gathering place for classes, workshops, meetings, interviews and recreational activities like art, yoga, and meditation for roughly 50 years, Ramirez said that CCAT’s decision has received overwhelming support from the campus community.
“We recognize that the Yurt-styled structure held many memories to CCAT and HSU alumni, and that its destruction lays heavy on the hearts of some,” she said. “However, CCAT has always been a body that operates by students for students, and the current student body of HSU is overwhelmingly supportive and happy with our decision and reasoning behind taking down the building. Moreover, CCAT has always been a place centered in learning and constant co-evolution, and sees the value of the intrinsic relationship between creation and destruction, death and rebirth. We hope to continue keeping up this extremely valuable passed-down legacy of co-evolution and learning, and that our predecessors are able to see the rebirth that is coming from the end of the structure’s standing.”
UPDATE, 5:12 p.m.: Humboldt County First District Supervisor Rex Bohn shared the following security camera footage of the earthquake as seen from inside Ferndale’s Golden Gate Mercantile:
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UPDATE, 3:15 p.m.: The old Creamery Building in Loleta didn’t fare so well during the quake. North Coast News was live at the scene a moment ago:
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UPDATE, 1:57 p.m.: A total of 38 aftershocks as of this writing, the largest being a 4.3 magnitude quake out at sea that hit just a few minutes ago.
As usual, it seems that the greatest damage was in the lower Eel, with plenty of reports of broken windows and emptied shelves in Ferndale. Caroline Titus, late of the Ferndale Enterprise, has been filing to Twitter:
Valley Grocery closed. Next door, Ferndale Liquors open as employees pick up the broken bottles. Strong smell of bourbon. Broken water lines in upper building. Buckets everywhere. #earthquake#ferndalecapic.twitter.com/8SuRRjHOZP
UPDATE, 1:43 p.m.: The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services reports that the Mattole Road and Southern Humboldt’s Redwood Drive are closed due to rock slides occasioned by the quake — the largest to hit Humboldt County since 2010:
#UPDATE Road Closures due to rock slides: - Redwood Drive between Evergreen and Bear Canyon - Mattole Road near Postmile 11
For the first time in your reporter’s experience, the earthquake advance notification system worked. I was just saying to Ryan: “Weird, I just got a…” when the building started moving. Next time, dive under a table.
How was your earthquake? Any damages? Report in, please.
After starting the game on a 21-2 run, the Humboldt State women’s basketball team narrowly scraped out a win in a triple-overtime dogfight with Chico State on Saturday.
The highlight of the game came in the final seconds of the first overtime, when Jacks guard Julia Iman hit a deep 3-pointer off an inbound pass to tie the game.
“That was an unbelievable game,” HSU head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson was quoted as saying by the HSU Athletics Department. “Julia’s shot was incredible.”
The Jacks 105-96 win was led by Iman, who finished the night with a career-high 33 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists.
Iman and her teammate Ashley Peralta each played the entire 55 minutes of the game.
“They were so resilient,” Bento-Jackson said. “That was an extremely hard-fought win and I am so, so proud of this team.”
The 4-4 Jacks play again tonight in a road game against conference rival Sonoma State.
Computer-generated photo illustration showing how Nordic Aquafarms’ proposed recirculating aquaculture system facility would look on the Samoa Peninsula. | Image via County of Humboldt.
It has been nearly seven months since Nordic Aquafarms announced that the company would acquiesce to public demand by completing a full environmental impact report (EIR) for its planned land-based recirculating aquaculture facility on the Samoa Peninsula, and on Monday morning the county published its draft EIR for public review.
Government agencies, environmental groups and the public now have 60 days to pore over the lengthy document and submit feedback to the county. There’s a link to the full DEIR at the bottom of this post.
Here’s the county’s press release:
The County of Humboldt has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Nordic Aquafarms California, LLC – Coastal Development Permit and Special Permit application (Case Number PLN-2020-16698). The land-based aquaculture facility is located in the Samoa area, east of Vance Avenue, approximately 2,000 feet north from the intersection of Vance Avenue and Bay Street, on the property known as 364 Vance Avenue (Assessor Parcel Number 401-112-021). Water intakes are located approximately one-half mile apart along the Samoa Channel in Humboldt Bay at the Redwood Marine Terminal II (RMT II) Dock and Red Tank Dock (Assessor Parcel Number 401-112-014 and 401-031-040).
The Humboldt County Planning and Building Department will receive public comments on the DEIR from Dec. 20, 2021, to Feb. 18, 2022. Comments may be submitted to the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department, at 3015 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501, or by email at CEQAResponses@co.humboldt.ca.us by Feb. 18, 2022. The DEIR is available for public review at the Planning and Building Department as well as online via the department’s website.
For more information, please contact Cade McNamara, Planner II, by email at cmcnamara@co.humboldt.ca.us or by phone at (707) 268-3777.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On Dec. 20, 2021, at about 3:20 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the area of Herrick Avenue and Alpine Court for the report of an individual stealing mail out of several mailboxes.
Curtis George Daniels Booking Photo. | Humboldt County Correctional Facility
The reporting party was able to provide deputies with a good description of the suspect, in addition to the license plate number of the suspect’s vehicle. Deputies were unable to locate the suspect vehicle in the area during their initial search.
At about 4:11 a.m., Sheriff’s Deputies on patrol in the Eureka area located the suspect’s vehicle at a gas station on the 3500 block of Broadway Street. Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and contacted one occupant, 41-year-old Curtis George Daniels. Deputies observed packages and envelopes inside the vehicle in plain view.
During their investigation, deputies located numerous packages and envelopes containing mail from several different victims inside the vehicle. Additionally, deputies located a stolen California Driver’s License in Daniels’ possession.
Daniels was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of stolen property (PC 496(a)), theft of US Mail (PC 530.5(e)), possession of identification information for another person (PC 530.5(c)(1)) and driving with a suspended license (VC 14601.1(a)).
During the holiday season, increased deliveries often bring an increased risk of mail theft. Residents are encouraged to be proactive against mail theft by following these tips:
Promptly pickup mail - Try not to leave letters and packages in your mailbox or at your door for any length of time.
Arrange for prompt pickup - If you cannot be home to receive a package, make another arrangement (like have a neighbor pick it up for you or have your package delivered to your workplace).
Customize the delivery- If you are expecting something you know will not fit in your mailbox and you don’t think you will be home to receive it, you can authorize the carrier to leave it in a specified location. Visit usps.com, enter the tracking number in Track a Package, and select Delivery Instructions.
Use Hold for Pickup - If you are sending gifts or other important items, you can choose the Hold for Pickup option on usps.com. The packages will be safely held at the recipient’s local Post Office location until they can pick it up. If you are expecting a package and won’t be there to retrieve it, you can redirect it to your local Post Office location by selecting Hold for Pickup using Intercept a Package under Track & Manage on usps.com.
Request a hold on all mail – You can sign up for Hold Mail service on usps.com if you plan on being away from home or you know you won’t be able to check your mail for a few days. Your letters and packages will be held securely at your Post Office location until you pick them up or request they be delivered to your home. Be sure to notify your mail carrier at least three days prior to leaving.
Alert a trusted neighbor – If you are going out of town, alert a trusted neighbor to collect any mail or packages that are delivered while you are gone.
Don’t send cash - Be careful about what you send. Don’t risk sending cash in the mail.
Inquire about overdue mail - If you do not receive a check, credit card or other valuable mail you’re expecting, contact the sender as soon as possible and inquire about it.
Install a locking mailbox and a package delivery box – Make sure your mailbox and delivery boxes are big enough to receive several parcels of mail and meet USPS requirements.
Report mail theft - If you have a home security camera system, make sure it captures activity at your front door and mailbox. If you catch any mail thieves in the act, save the video and alert your local Postal Inspectors. Video surveillance can assist in preventing crimes and catching bad guys.
To report mail theft or other crime in the county’s unincorporated area, contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On Dec. 19, 2021, at about 6:50 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant at a residence on the 1000 block of Glendale Drive in Blue Lake in attempt to locate and apprehend a wanted robbery suspect.
Terence Fusi | HCSO.
Through their investigation, deputies identified 31-year-old Ian Terence Fusi, as the primary suspect in an armed robbery occurring at a Blue Lake gas station on December 17. During the service of the warrant, deputies located Fusi and took him into custody without incident.
During their investigation, deputies also located a bag of Fusi’s belongings containing an unserialized “ghost gun” firearm, six magazines, two of which were found to be illegal high-capacity magazines and hundreds of rounds of live ammunition.
Fusi was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of robbery (PC 211), felon in possession of a firearm (PC 29800(a)(1)), person prohibited in possession of ammunition (PC 30305(a)), possession of an illegal magazine (PC 32310), using a firearm in commission of a felony (PC 12022.5(a)) and assault with a semiautomatic firearm (PC 245(b)).
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
For
the month of December Advanced Security Systems will match all gifts
made to rebuild Food for People up to $10,000
Following
the 2020 sewer disaster that occurred at Food for People’s main
site, the food bank is working to rebuild a food bank facility that
will ensure every person experiencing hunger in Humboldt County can
access nutritious foods, and local children, seniors, and families
can connect with services that address the root causes of hunger and
poverty. The new building will provide the critical
expansion of space, and be flexible to meet future needs in our
community, allowing for adaptable space to accommodate a larger
Eureka Choice Pantry, room for program expansion, or emergency
response as necessary.
“Food
for People is grateful to Advanced Security Systems for their support
of Food for People and commitment to improving food security in our
community. The funds raised by this challenge will help us rebuild an
upgraded facility to better serve the community now and into the
future, and leaves us better positioned to respond in times of
disaster,” said Anne Holcomb, Food for People Executive Director.
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Advanced
Security is
a family-owned and operated professional security and alarm
monitoring company located in your backyard. With headquarters in
Eureka, and regional locations in Santa Rosa and Crescent City,
Advanced Security Systems takes pride in the community and ownership
in it as well, active in many organizations and philanthropic
endeavors.
For more information, visit www.advancedsecurity.us
or call (707) 443-6366.
Food
for People, the Food Bank for Humboldt County, provides vital food
resources for the community through hard times- from the pandemic, to
wildfires, and so many of life’s challenges. Food for People works
to alleviate local hunger and improve the health of the community
through its 18 programs and strong community partnerships. These
programs include a countywide network of emergency food pantries;
mobile produce distribution to rural areas of the county; food
assistance for children, seniors, and homebound individuals;
nutrition education; and local food recovery and gleaning efforts.
Food for People distributes nearly 2 million pounds of food annually
to the county’s most vulnerable members. For more information, go
to www.foodforpeople.org
or call (707) 445-3166.
