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A very special effort focused on rebuilding a traditional dance village in the Hoopa Valley, bringing together 12 youth volunteers and an additional 20–30 community members in total. Youth ages 14–26 worked alongside adult cultural leaders and community members ranging from ages 3 to 80+. This project was a unique opportunity to do something significant by and for the local community, to provide real experience to young people, and served as a true knowledge transmission moment for all. In the May Heat, everyone grabbed a shovel to dig , learning just how difficult it is to bury a load bearing pole. Youth worked to prepare the Cedar poles by removing bark with guidance from Hupa Elder Steve Baldy, peeling the bark by hand and also using some hand tools. The crew made sure the dance floor was level and cleared of rocks, because you don’t want dancers feet to hurt, then added in wall pieces and eventually on the final day, placed the poles for supporting the roof with a little help from some local folks with some equipment support!
In collaboration with the Rou Dalagurr: Food Sovereignty Lab & Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute.
In collaboration with the Rou Dalagurr: Food Sovereignty Lab & Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute.
Student Staff Reflection (Food Sovereignty Lab): Joe Taylor
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My experience is a once in a lifetime chance to do something I have been learning about in my classes. Then my family is a building family so I got to use my skills from that to help with this project. But this was a really cool opportunity I got to which was going to Hoopa and help build and learn so many really cool things from all the people there about how they have built the structure and how they had done it in the past. Then there is sheer strength to move all the trees and shave them down where there is no bark and round posts. Then just learning that they don’t celebrate until a year after it's fully built. Which to me is such an amazing thing and then it becomes a spot for a celebration. This experience was really amazing to see so many youth and adults come together to put all of this together and all the great things we learned throughout the whole building days. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that I had. |
The Project continues...
Working with site owner Hayley Hutt the Collective will continue to support what is envisioned as an Indigenous ecovillage garden and retreat center.
Statement from Hayley: The project began organically when a ceremonial structure was built on the property in 2020 for the owner’s daughter’s flower dance. After community members expressed interest in using the space, the project expanded. A small grant helped support rebuilding and improvement, while donated wood, access to equipment, family labor, and volunteers enabled further development. From there, the idea evolved from a single ceremonial structure into a broader eco-village concept with supporting structures, gardens, and year-round uses.
Mission
To create a culturally rooted Indigenous eco-village in Hoopa that supports ceremony, learning,
healing, hospitality, and economic self-determination.
Vision
To become a small but highly valued destination where local families, neighboring tribes,
cultural teachers, artists, and respectful visitors can gather, learn, create, and stay in a setting that
feels intimate, grounded, and alive.
Short-Term Goals
Complete site planning and infrastructure layout
Finish supporting ceremonial structures
Build a kitchen/gazebo area and restroom
Launch one or more small guest huts or cabins
Host initial ceremony support, workshops, and rentals
Statement from Hayley: The project began organically when a ceremonial structure was built on the property in 2020 for the owner’s daughter’s flower dance. After community members expressed interest in using the space, the project expanded. A small grant helped support rebuilding and improvement, while donated wood, access to equipment, family labor, and volunteers enabled further development. From there, the idea evolved from a single ceremonial structure into a broader eco-village concept with supporting structures, gardens, and year-round uses.
Mission
To create a culturally rooted Indigenous eco-village in Hoopa that supports ceremony, learning,
healing, hospitality, and economic self-determination.
Vision
To become a small but highly valued destination where local families, neighboring tribes,
cultural teachers, artists, and respectful visitors can gather, learn, create, and stay in a setting that
feels intimate, grounded, and alive.
Short-Term Goals
Complete site planning and infrastructure layout
Finish supporting ceremonial structures
Build a kitchen/gazebo area and restroom
Launch one or more small guest huts or cabins
Host initial ceremony support, workshops, and rentals
