The sun sparkled on the water of Humboldt Bay on a still, clear evening as Wiyot Tribal members gathered on Woodley Island for their annual candlelight vigil. Each February since 1992, the tribe has gathered to pray, sing and bare flames in remembrance of their ancestors massacred on Indian Island back in 1860. 

This will be the final year. The discontinuation of the gathering coincides with plans to resurrect the tribe’s World Renewal Ceremony this coming March, an event that has not been held since the infamous slaughter occurred.

Lost Coast Outpost contributor Nick Adams was on hand for the historic occasion and filed the following images. -AG