Lessons from Dishgamu Humboldt Community Land Trust Experiment
This discussion explores community land trusts as a tool for decolonization with Michelle Vassel, Tribal Administrator of the Wiyot Tribe and David Cobb, Executive Director of Cooperation Humboldt. Sponsored by the Institute for Social Ecology, held on February 25, 2022.
It focuses on how the Wiyot Tribe (based in what is now Northern California) and their allies were able to reclaim their sacred homelands in Humboldt County, and how these lands are being turned into a community land trust, known as Dishgamu Humboldt. This experiment is one of the most advanced “land back” decolonization initiatives within the territories of the settler-colonial project known as the United States of America.
Building on the example of Dishgamu Humboldt, we discuss why decolonization must be central to social justice struggles in the United States, and how these struggles will ground us in the quest to create an ecologically regenerative society, rooted in equity and social justice.
David Cobb (he/him) is a “people’s lawyer” who has sued corporate polluters, lobbied elected officials, run for political office himself, and been arrested for non-violent civil disobedience. He believes we must provoke—and win—a peaceful revolution if we are to survive. David is the Co-Founder of Cooperation Humboldt and Co-Coordinator of the US Solidarity Economy Network. He is also on the Board of Advisors of the California Progressive Alliance, and is active with the California Public Banking Alliance. When he isn’t working to restructure society, he enjoys exploring Northern CA beaches and forests with Ruthi (his high school sweetheart) and Governor Peanut Butter (the best dog ever).
Michelle Vassel (she/her) serves as Tribal Administrator of the Wiyot Tribe (Chief Executive Officer). She is responsible for planning, managing and directing the day-to-day operations of the Tribal government under the general supervision of the elected Tribal Council. She oversees all governmental programs and designs and implements tribal policies involving economic development, fiscal and social services, cultural and historical preservation and environmental programs. Michelle also serves on the Board of Director of Cooperation Humboldt and was the Assistant Director at Northern California Indian Development Council, where she was responsible for the planning, development, review and evaluation of community and economic development service needs, resources and programs. She also served as Executive Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Fortuna, CA.
