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Closed 17/06/2024
Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation

Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab and Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute

As the Food Sovereignty Lab is becoming a reality - funding is needed for the custom flooring featuring Indigenous artwork by Alme Allen. This campaign will prioritize the completion of the flooring and other custom interior details.
US$23,861
raised of US$33,000 target
Donations cannot currently be made to this page
Event: Cal Poly Humboldt Giving Day 2024, on 3 April 2024
Closed on 17/06/2024
RCN 946077724

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Story

The Native American Studies Department Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab and Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute (FSL) are humbled and grateful for the continued support as we create spaces and programs dedicated to the learning, research, hands-on practice, and preservation of food sovereignty, traditional ecological knowledges, and Indigenous Science. The purpose of the FSL is to provide an opportunity to work directly with the surrounding communities, tribal nations, and national and international scholars and community leaders to center, learn, and engage with Indigenous science, environmental management, and preservation practices, in a manner that foregrounds tribal autonomy and self-determination.

Due to a steep rise in construction costs, the lab is in a deficit of funding needed to complete the physical space. To date, through a variety of partners and student-led fundraising efforts, $500,000 has been raised for the lab. There is still a need for $112,000 to finish the lab including the floors, countertops, and technology.

This campaign will prioritize the funds needed for a custom designed floor by local Karuk carver and artist Alme Allen which amounts to $33,000.

“After several digital renderings of floor design possibilities I began to settle in on one thing that was consistent, a dark background with a pale yellow basketry pattern. It was at this time that I realized that my work was beginning to take on a reminiscent look and style of the Wiyot weaver, Elizabeth Hickox. She was one of the most notable weavers of her day and her basket scan literally be found all over the world, so I find it only fitting that my design be dedicated to her life’s work. Entering the Food Sovereignty lab from the main north doors, a sweeping obsidian design pattern begins on the east wall and moves along a gentle arch to the west side of the room. As the design moves across the space it grows in size and fills the center of the room and is beneath all of the classroom desks. What this means - as students we come to learn and grow, their knowledge expands until they are ready to go out into the world. Also there are ten obsidian blades in the work to represent our World Renewal practices and our commitment to the environment.” -Alme Allen

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About the charity

Cal Poly Humboldt students enjoy an extraordinary college experience, taking small classes taught by professors who know them by name. They live and learn in one of the world's most beautiful places—near ancient redwood forests, mountains and beaches.

Donation summary

Total raised
US$23,861.00
Online donations
US$5,015.00
Offline donations
US$18,846.00
Direct donations
US$5,015.00
Donations via fundraisers
US$0.00

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