The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: D Street Community Center

  • Working to Correct History

    Working to Correct History

    Home Away From Home potluck kicks off Indigenous Peoples’ Week

    Arcata is home to the Wiyot Tribe and Humboldt State University sits on Wiyot land. The Home Away From Home Potluck is one example of the community’s attempt to welcome all members to interact and is a fun, inclusive way to start Indigenous Peoples’ Week.

    The second Monday of October has become an opportunity to counter-protest Columbus Day. Along with a celebration of Native Americans, their history on this land and their culture, Indigenous Peoples’ Week highlights the customs of indigenous peoples and acknowledges the years suffering.

    Arcata Mayor Brett Watson spoke on some of the actions the city has taken in order to support local Native Americans. Watson spoke of a proclamation from 2016 where Arcata officially recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

    “The university is our lifeblood and we see the diversity of the student body as a positive. We welcome students of all backgrounds.”

    Wesley Chesbro

    “Just on October 2, we did a resolution affirming our support for a United Nations resolution,” Watson said. “Acknowledging the rights of Indigenous people around the world.”

    The inclusion and acceptance of Native Americans’ history is one way that the community is attempting to reach out to students of all ethnicities. Wesley Chesbro, local volunteer and HSU alumnus, believes the potluck is inviting and feels like home for students.

    “What we hope happens is students will sit down with community members and develop relationships,” Chesbro said. “The university is our lifeblood and we see the diversity of the student body as a positive. We welcome students of all backgrounds.”

    The Home Away from Home potluck is more than it’s food, it’s about a sense of welcome. The goal, according to Equitable Arcata’s Communications Chair Cati Gallardo, is racial equity.

    “The Home Away From Home potluck started as a way to let students know they’re loved by the community,” Gallardo said. “We love our students and some of the feedback we received stated how we need to make a change in Arcata. Folks were feeling it wasn’t a racially equitable community and we wanted to change that.”

    Skits from based off the 1490s were performed by a Native American comedy group. The potluck consists of community members coming together to donate food and local businesses offer gifts for raffle prizes as well as warm winter clothing donated by locals for students who may need them.

    Other events for Indigenous Peoples’ Week include highlights of HSU’s Native American programs. The Native Forum provided guests with a geographical exposure to local tribes on Monday. Professor Rain Archambeau-Marshall is hosting a showing of Dodging Bullets followed by a post-film discussion on Wed., Oct. 16. The Native American Center will also hold an open house Friday, Oct. 18, where they will play Cards for Decolonization. To find out more information go to humboldt.edu or itepp.humboldt.edu.

  • Community potluck for Humboldt State students

    Community potluck for Humboldt State students

    A potluck was held in the D Street Community Center on April 1. The theme of the event was for the Arcata community to bring Latin American food in honor of Cesar Chavez Day.

    This is the fourth community potluck that the community has held for Humboldt State University students and the Arcata community. Pauli Bachemin is one of the event organizers.

    “The purpose of holding this event is to not only have students meet with the community,” Bachemin said. “I want [students] to be able to network with city officials from the community.”

    There were various city officials who were present at the potluck, including Karen Diemer, the city manager of Arcata.

    “We want students to know that they are a part of the community,” Diemer said. “I was a former student of HSU, and the support I felt from the community made me want to stay in Arcata. I hope that students today will feel the same way.”

    Isabel Quintaro is an HSU student who praised the university’s efforts.

    “With the issue that has been going on lately, I think that the city has been doing a great job in listening to student’s voices,” Quintaro said.

    Nacirema Johnson is another HSU student.

    “With the city officials being present in this event, it shows that there is [a] genuine interest with what is going on with students,” Johnson said.

    The food wasn’t the only thing that the event gave out, there was a “free stuff” table where students could pick up donated items.

    “I really appreciate the help that the community gives with the free stuff they give out,” Kelly Garcia, a first-year HSU student, said.

    While help is given from the community event, some have expressed how they truly felt about how the community has dealt with ongoing problems in the community.

    Tina Sampay is a former student of HSU. She majored in critical race, gender and sexuality studies.

    “It is important events like these are happening, but you can’t cover up the pain with fake progress,” Sampay said.

    With the ongoing issues that affect HSU, the D Street Community Center has been making an effort by holding events for students like the community potluck.

    Anne Hartline attended the event. She is a professor at HSU teaching English 124, and attended the event to support students.

    “This event is a way for building a community,” Hartline said. “It’s important for students to be a part of the community.”

    This article was changed from its original version on at 11:08 a.m. on April 5, 2018.