“Best of Insight 2022” Former CapRadio Morning Edition Host Donna Apidone shares her feature “Photos from Manzanar.” The Yurok Tribe, the largest tribe in the state, restores the lost art of hand-built canoes from California redwoods. The non-profit Stockton Soul takes performances into classrooms and throughout San Joaquin County.
Photos of Manzanar
Former CapRadio Morning Edition Host Donna Apidone shares her feature “Photos from Manzanar” on the 80th anniversary of the start of the Japanese internment camp during WWII in the Eastern Sierra.
Yurok Tribe Redwood canoe tours
Known as great fisherman, the Klamath River has long been a lifeline for the Yurok Tribe, located in the heart of the California redwoods. Yurok Canoe Captain Julian Markussen, Yurok Culture Bearer Hop Norris and Yurok Canoe Builder David Eric Severns discuss reviving the lost art of hand-built canoes from fallen redwoods, and offering guided Yurok Redwood Canoe Tours in Del Norte County to the public. A beautiful and serene, two- or four-hour, voyage that shares the history of Yurok culture and a way of life that goes back centuries. The canoes are handmade from redwoods, never cut down, with a deep respect for the tallest tree in the world. The redwood-Yurok bond dates back centuries, passed down through oral tradition. But like countless Native American traditions was nearly decimated. The tours open to the public help fund the revival of the Yurok tradition of redwood canoes— logs which can be costly to acquire and transport. The song performed is titled “Neypuy Rek’woy” from Yurok singer James Gensaw Sr.
Stockton Soul
When you think of string instruments, like the violin and cello, the reflexive connection may likely lead to classical music. But these elegant orchestral instruments have a range far beyond what we view as “traditional.” Two musicians from San Joaquin County saw what was lacking in their field and felt trapped. So, they did something about it, not just to satisfy their needs, but also to educate others in an entertaining way about the foundation of American music. Stockton Soul was created as a revival of the days of “soul orchestra” made popular by the likes of Motown in the ’60s and ’70s. The non-profit takes its performances into classrooms and throughout the San Joaquin County community. Darcy Ford-James, Director of Stockton Soul joined insight to tell us more about their music.
