Indigenous Living Biographies Collection
Finding aid created by Humboldt State University Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
Humboldt State University Library
2018
One Harpst Street
Arcata, California 95521-8299
707-826-3419
http://library.humboldt.edu/humco/
Title: Indigenous Living Biographies Collection
Dates: 1999-2001
Collection Number: 2014.02
Creator/Collector:
Chag Lowry
Jan Krapelien
Extent: 1 cubic foot; 56 DVDs
Repository:
Humboldt State University Library
Arcata, California 95521-8299
Abstract: This collection contains interviews from living indigenous community members from the Humboldt region. The oral histories
provide a lived experience and insight to the cultures and history represented in the video series. Interviewees are from
the Yurok, Wiyot, Karuk, Tolowa, and Hupa tribes. Topics in the collection include the Yurok language, culture, basketry and
singing, the Yurok world view and traditions; Karuk veteran stories; Wiyot history and stories; Hupa history, culture and
music and Tolowa history.
Language of Material: English
Open for research by appointment. Can only be accessed in the Humboldt Room.
Copyright has not been assigned to Humboldt State University. Permission to obtain copies of from the collection is available
to a limited group of individuals. Please contact the Special Collections Librarian for more information.
Indigenous Living Biographies Collection. Humboldt State University Library
Biography/Administrative History
Chag Lowry is a descendent of Yurok (from his mother's family) and Mountain Maidu and Pit River Native American Ancestry (on
his father's side) and grew up on the Susanville Indian Rancheria in North Eastern California. His interest in interviews
developed from the stories he would hear from family members who were in military service during World War II. After interviewing
Native American veterans he found that there was more to be explored about their life experience, culture, and their history
particularly since many of his interviewees are not far removed from the past two generations who experienced oppression by
non-Native contact in the late 1800's. Chag has an MA in Education and a BA in Journalism from Humboldt State University.
(Paraphrased from Chag Lowry's Book The Original Patriots: Northern California Indian Veterans of World War Two).
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains video recordings and typed summaries of the interviews created for the video series Indigenous Living
Biographies. Included are also documents related to the preparation for the interview project.
Indians of North America--California, Northern--Biography
Yurok Indians
Tolowa Indians
Karok Indians
Hupa Indians
Wiyot Indians