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Our Mission Statement

Pomo Honoring Month emphasizes awareness of Pomo history
and building bridges for future generations.
 
Pomo wisdom traditions hold value
for resolving contemporary challenges.
 
We support Pomo people having an active voice in public policy,
including development, education, culture, and vision.
 
Not affiliated with any specific tribal group, we value collaboration
with all Pomo people toward reconciliation and understanding.

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The Pomo Project was initiated by Armando Williams
when he visited Sebastopol Gallery and was moved
by the Native content in Sandy Eastoak's featured work.

Other Sebastopol Gallery artists soon joined in and
gallery members voted to set aside their Fall, 2010,
rotation to show work from the Pomo Project.
Armando would help the artists learn about Pomo
culture and medicine ways, introduce them to Pomo
elders and ceremony and trust them to create work
reflecting and honoring the Pomo way of life.

"Flickerbird" ©Sandy Eastoak 2023

As the artists talked about the project, people in the community quickly became enthusiastic about

the need to understand Pomo history

and culture, and to involve Pomo people

in decision making processes as we work

toward sustainability, justice, and harmony.

Many people expressed a desire for

education and reconciliation.As our ideas

became bigger than our ability to organize,

we recognized the need for an annual celebration,

and are grateful that the Sebastopol City Council agreed.

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Original Pomo Baskets © Buffie Schmidt 2023

A History of Honoring

       The Sebastopol City Council resolved that each October to be Pomo Honoring Month, 

celebrating the continued presence and enduring culture of the Pomo people. 

Annual Pomo Honoring Month - Resolution #5793

PASSED, APPROVED & ADOPTED this 4th day of May, 2010, by the following vote:

AYES: Councilmembers Robinson, Shaffer, Kelley, Vice Mayor Wilson and Mayor Gurney

NOES: None   •   ABSTAIN: None   •   ABSENT: None

(Signed by) SARAH GLADE GURNEY, MAYOR   •   (Attested by) MARY GOURLEY, CITY CLERK

 

Recognition of Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria - Resolution  #5818

On September 21, 2010, the Sebastopol City Council voted to adopt a resolution

specifically recognizing the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria as representing the 

descendants of our area's original inhabitants.

 

Read Full Resolution

Honoring & Celebrating

the contributions of the Indigenous people of our area

We are in our 13th year of bringing free educational events to Sonoma County.

The Pomo people have lived here for thousands of years, and “Pomo Country” extends

through a significant area of Northern California, including Sonoma County, Mendocino and Lake Counties.

 

Every year since 2010, we’ve hosted Pomo Honoring Month in October. Pomo Honoring Month

has included basket weaving workshops, history lectures, beading workshops, art exhibits, radio shows,

plays, and an Elders’ Forum and has also brought the Pomo Dancers of Sonoma County to

downtown Sebastopol and Petaluma.  

 

We are a small community-based organization. We rely upon donations to continue presenting

these wonderful events.Your donations pay for publicity, food, workshop materials, honorariums for presenters.

They also provide gas for transportation for the dancers who sometimes travel long distancesto participate.

Our leadership team is comprised of all volunteers, including Pomo and non-Pomo people.

Pomo Project Coordinating Team

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Rose Hammock
A leader in the Pomo Youth Dancers and an inspiration to many students, she strongly supports others on their educational and vocational paths. Rose offers California Indian history presentations at preschool and elementary schools throughout Sonoma County. 
rosehammock2017@gmail.com

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Buffie Schmidt
A 4th generation Pomo cradle basket weaver, Buffie was taught the tradition at the age of 13. She believes in keeping Pomo culture alive through their language, songs, dance, traditional foods and basketweaving.

Christine Cobough
A part of the Pomo Project coordinating team since its inception in 2009. Christine is a long-time community activist and an artist / photographer. She loves creating images from nature as well as pieces that address social issues. Some of her recent work has been inspired by the beauty and energy of Pomo dancers.
www.water-spirit.net

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