huṡwej
Our Collective Wish
huṡwej, meaning "wish" in the Nisenan language, is the new forward-facing identity of the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribally-guided nonprofit, formerly known as California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP).
huṡwej, embodies the collective wishes of the NCR Nisenan Tribe for a thriving future rooted in Cultural revitalization, land stewardship, and Tribal sovereignty.
While we continue to operate legally as CHIRP, this new name symbolizes our growth beyond our origins as a research project, aligning with the evolving needs of our community and work.
Learn more about our new name below, or visit huswej.org
Our Wish
huṡwej, (pronounced hoo’-shweh) means "wish" in the Nisenan language. It embodies the hopes, dreams, and intentions of the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan people - rooted in Cultural revitalization, land stewardship, and the enduring presence and visibility of the NCR Nisenan Tribe on their Ancestral Homelands.
Formerly known as California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP), we will be adopting huṡwej, as our forward-facing identity to reflect the growth and evolution of our organization.
This change aligns with our mission while embracing a name that resonates deeply with the NCR Tribal community.
Why the Change?
Using a Nisenan word to identify the Tribal nonprofit is not just symbolic; it's an active part of our work to preserve, protect, and perpetuate Nisenan Culture, and it reintegrates language as a form of Tribal sovereignty. huṡwej, beautifully represents our collective desire to see Nisenan Culture thrive.
The name also reflects the first time the Tribe has come together in such a unified way to envision, dream, and wish collectively for a thriving, vibrant future that revitalizes its rich Cultural heritage and ensures its transmission to future generations.
The Tribally-guided nonprofit serves as the "wish fulfillment vehicle," a support structure that helps turn these dreams into reality. Through huṡwej, we honor the Tribe’s past, fulfill its wishes for the present, and build a foundation for the future.
Same Organization, Renewed Identity
While huṡwej will represent our programs and public outreach, we will continue to operate legally as California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP). This ensures continuity with our established partnerships and legal framework. We are not losing our history; rather, we are expanding our identity to reflect who we are today.
CHIRP began as a research project, but we have outgrown that label. While research remains integral to our work, our scope has broadened significantly. huṡwej symbolizes this growth, honoring our past while embracing the future.
We invite you to learn more about our work, support our mission, and join us in honoring the wishes of the past, present, and future.