Northern California
Native Educational Tour and Wellness
July 10-17 and July 17-24
Arrival/Departure Point: Berkeley (Oakland) California

Click HERE for Frequently Ask Questions

Northern California’s amazing redwood forests and waterways provide the setting for adventure, learning, and recreation.

Our Nor Cal Tour includes visits to University of California at Berkeley and Humboldt State University. Group activities and academic enrichment programs include:

• Wildlife Observation, River Rafting
• Academic Guidance / College Prep Workshop
• Cultural Education with Nor Cal Native Tribal Leaders; Hupa, Yurok, Karuk, Wiyot, InterTribal Bay Area Nation.
• Nutrition & Wellness
• High School / College Credit (optional)

Day 1: Berkeley, California
Arrival Day, Greetings, Orientation and check-in. UC Berkeley is the most prestigious and oldest university in the state. It sits on the hill side of the East San Francisco Bay with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay and ocean. This day you begin a journey in knowledge of self, others and greater horizons.
*Airport pick-up, if needed, will be provided by our staff.

Day 2: UC Berkeley, Highway 101 to Humboldt, Wiyot Tribe
After morning refreshments and light exercise, participants will begin a seminar in academics and culture visiting the Phoebe Hearst Museum at Berkeley. Containing some of the largest repository of Native culture on the west coast, we begin by taking an emotional look into the past. Participants de-construct the boundaries and limits of western education and create a greater world of expression and thought. We have lunch after taking a tour of the campus.  We take to the road and head up the 101, across rolling hills and through ancient Redwood Forests along the Eel River. We observe the plants and earth that is so vital to local people and future generations. We stop at the Wiyot Reservation, hosted and introduced to the area by the original people.

Day 3: Humboldt State University, Yurok, Klamath
After morning refreshments, we take a trip to Humboldt State University. We experience the second branch of the California’ State University “CSU” System, we note the differences, similarities and advantages. We visit the Wildlife Department and explore our personal creativity with art, storytelling and environmental science. We spend some time with American Indian Departments on Campus and take a tour of HSU offerings. We will head out and finish the evening fire-side along the clarity and freshness of the Klamath River, Pacific Ocean and land-based living. Local cultural is alive in nature. We will camp that night along the river.

Day 4: Yurok, Klamath River, Del Norte County
After a hot morning breakfast, we will spend the day learning from the people and guardians of the land. For thousands of years, harmony was kept with the grounds and now educated tribal members hold department positions in leadership, Fisheries, Forestry and Wildlife to maintain balance and ward off threats to the environment and traditional lifestyles. We learn from struggle, tradition and how it relates to the people of the planet.

Day 5: Trinidad, Hoopa Reservation, Homboldt County
We break camp and head down the coast, pass a large Elk Reserve and arrive at the majestic coast of Trinidad, an incredible coastline and the cleanest air in the Northern Hemisphere. Traditional fishing and hunting grounds, the State Park of “Patricks Point” is now home to cultural site and Sumeg Village. We will be guided by the traditional care-taker of this site and get an in depth look into traditional living. We will then go to Trinidad Pier and have lunch along the seaside reservation of Trinidad Rancheria, one of the many jewels on our trip. In Trinidad, we visit the Humboldt State University research center for Oceanic and Geologic Studies to gain a deeper understanding of our relationship with the sea and atmosphere. We will leave Trinidad and head inland to the Hoopa Reservation and the warm feel of the Hoopa Valley and Trinity River. We will set camp before taking a refreshing swim in clear waters of this sacred river and giver of life. This evening we will enjoy a campfire, local stories of culture by current guardians of the land.

Day 6: Hoopa, Trinity River
After morning refreshment, we head off to harvest fruits and wildberries before we gather to launch our rafts on the river. The river rafting excursion with Fish-on and Chuckee Carpenter is a highlight of the trip.  We spot many birds, Bald Eageles and wildlife as we float down river and through rock ravines. The spirit of Hoopa Valley and her people is profound along the river. We stop along the way, playing in the clear waters, have lunch and continue on with the best traditional Salmon dinner imaginable. We finish the evening with story-telling, songs, burnt marshmallows and campfire fun. A feeling comes over you like we could just be here forever.

Day 7: San Francisco Bay, Alacatraz
We leave campsite and head back down the coast to the San Francisco Bay area. We go directly to the boat which will take us to the island commonly known as Alcatraz. Local ranger hosts us, as we are provided with the history and stories of this sacred place. Our Journey will come full circle as we ponder our choices between cultural freedom, sovereignty and the threat of incarceration. As we sit out on the Island, looking into the bay, we ponder our choices in life, our future, and how we can be good for our community. Inspired by our journey, it is time of reflection and thought. We will return to Berkeley and gather for the evening with University Students and local youth to celebrate our journey and share in our experiences before returning home.

Day 8: Berkeley, Departure for Home
Our tour and personal journey ends for now as we transition and continue on a path of success, refreshed. We will have a morning Recognition of participants and wish everyone well as we continue to make a better world for ourselves, family and future generations. *Airport drop-off provided by Staff.