California State University, Humboldt
Walter James Lara, Sr., a proud member of the Yurok, grew up in Orick, California.
His grandfather would occasionally accompany Mr. Lara on his two-mile walk to the one room “Little Red School House” at Stone Lagoon. During these walks, many lessons about the survival and challenges of the Yurok People were shared. His grandparents were both Yurok first-language speakers who held the culture and traditions of an ancient people close to their hearts. They served as the foundation for a man who holds a deep desire to make a better world for his people.
Mr. Lara is a respected spiritual leader and wisdom keeper of the Yurok People and recognized as a Native cultural and political luminary among Tribal Nations throughout California. Mr. Lara has a long and enduring relationship with Humboldt State University. He contributed to scholarship on Yurok tradition through various publications, workshops and lectures for the Forestry and Wildland Resources Department, the Department on Native American Art of the North Coast, the Native American Studies Department and the Child Development Department. Mr. Lara has been involved in American Indian College Motivation Day, California Big Time Gathering and Indigenous Peoples’ Week, as well as the Indian Natural Resource Science and Engineering Program (INRSEP) and Indian Tribal and Educational Personnel Program (ITEPP) events. Mr. Lara also advised students on the production of a video on Indigenous knowledge. He is co-coordinating a Ka’m-t’em: Next Steps for K-12 Educators course, a partnership between the Humboldt State University Child Development Department and the Yurok Tribe. His contributions to the Yurok Tribe, surrounding community and Humboldt State University epitomize meaningful, life-long service that represents the mission of the California State University.
In recognition of his significant accomplishments and impact, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and Humboldt State University are proud to confer upon Walter James Lara, Sr., the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.