Press Kit

HUṠWEJ (formerly California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project) is a Tribally-guided nonprofit created to carry forward the wishes, responsibilities, and long-term vision of the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe. Its mission is to preserve, protect, and perpetuate Nisenan Culture.

Until such a time as the Tribe regains federal recognition, HUṠWEJ functions as proxy and administrative vehicle to support Tribal programs, steward resources, receive funding, and carry out Cultural, educational, and land-based initiatives in alignment with Tribal priorities. 

Through this role, CHIRP advances land rematriation efforts, Cultural revitalization, Tribally-guided land stewardship, Youth development and community wellness initiatives, and public education.

We welcome thoughtful media engagement that includes Indigenous voice, language, and leadership. 

Press Kit

How to Say HUṠWEJ

Correct pronunciation is an act of respect and Cultural visibility.

IPA Phonetic Transcription: [ˈhuʃ.wej]

Pronounced: HOOSH-way

Two syllables, stress on the first syllable

[h] is like "h" in "home"

[u] is like “oo” in “too”

[ʃ] is like “sh” in “shoe"

[wej] sounds like “way”

Listen to the pronunciation below:

Speaking Nisenan words aloud supports language revitalization and honors the living presence of Indigenous Culture in this region

Media Inquiries

For interview requests, background information, or additional materials, please reach out to communications@huswej.org

We are available for conversations related to: 

Cultural revitalization and language reclamation 

Land rematriation and Indigenous stewardship

Tribal Youth and Community Wellness programming

Archival restoration and historical truth 

Public visibility through art and education 

The HUṠWEJ name evolution

Local Culturally relevant topics and wider topic of Indigenity

For Journalists

We respectfully ask for coverage that: 

References the organization as HUṠWEJ (formerly CHIRP) upon first mention 

Center Nisenan leadership and voice

Use provided photo credits and approved logos

If you have questions about terminology or Cultural context, we are happy to provide guidance. 

Approved BoilerPlate Language

HUṠWEJ (formerly California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project) is a Tribally-guided 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to preserve, protect, and perpetuate Nisenan Culture, community, and Ancestral Homelands through Cultural revitalization, land stewardship, Tribal Youth and Community Wellness initiatives, archival development, and public education.

Guided by the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, HUṠWEJ’s work is grounded in Indigenous leadership, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and reciprocal relationship with land and community, with the long-term goal of strengthening self-determination, visibility, and Cultural continuity for future generations.

Approved Press Photography

The following images are approved for editorial use in coverage of HUṠWEJ. Please include the provided photo credit with publication. 

Click image for access to high-resolution version.

Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribal Council

Portrait of NCR Nisenan Tribal Council Members in 2023. From top left to bottom right: Saxon Thomas, Lorena Davis, Richard Johnson (Tribal Chairperson), Sarah Thomas, Virginia Covert (Tribal Vice-Chairperson), Shelly Covert (Tribal Spokesperson). Photo Credit: Sean Leydon

Learn more about the NCR Nisenan Tribal Council here.

Historic Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe

Photo of Roundhouse at historic Nevada City Rancheria, circa 1909. Photo credit: Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Archive.
Learn more about the history of the Rancheria here.

Estom Yanim

'estom yanim is the Sacred Mountain and central to Nisenan cosmology. It is the origin of all life and the place where Nisenan Spirits go when they die. Photo credit: Mira Clark, VTA 2022

Nisenan Heritage Day 2025

Nisenan Heritage Day, an annual gathering hosted by the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, brings together community members for dialogue, art, storytelling, and education that centers Nisenan history, leadership, and living presences on Nisenan Ancestral Homelands. Photo Credit: Sean Leydon, 2025
Learn more about Nisenan Heritage Day here.

YuliĆa: Homeland Return

NCR Nisenan Tribal members gather on recently rematriated Ancestral Homelands of Yulića. Photo Credit: Kit Kohler of Riparian Studios
Learn more about the Homeland Return campaign to rematriate Yulića here.

TRibally-Guided Stewardship Crew

The Tribally-Guided Stewardship Crew conducts Culturally-informed burns on Nisenan Ancestral Homelands. Photo Credit: RoseFirePhotography
Learn more about the Tribally-Guided Stewardship Crew here.

Tribal Members at ANgkula Seo

NCR Nisenan Tribal members gather at Angkula Seo (Deer Creek) during the opening ceremony of the Tribute Trail Bridge. Photo Credit: Aeron Miller
Learn more about the Nisenan Cultural Reclamation Corridor here.

‘Uba Seo: Nisenan arts & Culture

 ‘UBA SEO Gallery, a Tribally-guided cultural venue of the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, serves as a hub for art exhibitions, public education, and Tribal art enrichment programming, strengthening Nisenan visibility through creative expression.
Learn more about ‘UBA SEO here.

PAMBLO: Remembering a Forgotten Leader (VTA 2025) opening night. Photo Credit Kian Berreman

The Story of Land, Water, and People (VTA 2024) opening night. Photo Credit Kit Kohler of Riparian Studios

The Story of Land, Water, and People (VTA 2024) opening night. Photo Credit Kit Kohler of Riparian Studios

Tribal Arts Enrichment

Tribal Members participate in Tribal Arts Enrichment programming facilitated by HUṠWEJ, which offer opportunities for creative expression, Cultural revitalization, and personal growth through art workshops and enriching educational activities. Photo credit: HUṠWEJ Staff
Learn more about Tribal Arts Enrichment programming here.