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 2026
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.
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.
Original Pomo Baskets ©Buffie Campbell 2026
pomo 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 and ADOPTED
this 4th day of May, 2010, by the following vote:
AYES: Council members 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.
The Contributions
of the Indigenous People of our area
In their 17th year of bringing free educational events to Sonoma County, 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.
Pomo Project has hosted Pomo Honoring Month each October since 2010 and has included basket weaving workshops, history lectures, beading workshops, art exhibits, radio shows, plays, and an Elders’ Forum. Honoring month also invites you to enjoy performances by the Pomo Dancers of Sonoma County.
A small community-based organization, Pomo Project relies upon donations.
Our leadership team is comprised of all volunteers, including Pomo and non-Pomo people.
Pomo Project
Coordinating Team
Buffie Campbell
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.
Rose Hammock
A young cultural leader among the Pomo community. Rose is Pomo, Wailacki, and Maidu, and is an enrolled tribal member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes.
She is a traditional dancer, new basket weaver, and language learner of Eastern Pomo dialect and Wailacki Kunnes. Rose also works for a Native woman-led non profit organization here in Sonoma County, called Redbud Resource Group
https://www.redbudresourcegroup.org/
Christine Cobaugh
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
"Spirit of Healing" mural
This Pomo Projedt Dream from Original Art to permanent display was completed on May26, 2022
Our beautiful mural can be viewed at Elsie Allen High School, Santa Rosa
Artist, Joseph Salinas
A Kashia Pomo artist and founder of the Tri-County Pomo Dancers, Joseph Salinas was a staff person at the Sonoma County Indian Health Project (SCIHP) in 2010. He helped teach young people about Pomo culture and was
inspired to design sketches for a mural. Joseph’s purpose when creating this mural was to illustrate some
of the history and culture of Pomo People in Santa Rosa and Sonoma County before outside Settlers
came. Pomo tribal communities still extend from the Pacific Ocean to inland mountains,
from Sonoma County to Lake County, as they have for thousands of years.
2026 art show
important information
Please read this printable PDF. Information includes venue information, how your art will be displayed inside the Person Senior Center, direction to locations, dates and times for submitting, delivering and picking up your artwork, size of labels, Reception information and date, and your responsibilties and requirements if your art piece is sold prior to the closing date of the 2026 Annual Native Artists Art Show.
6th Annual California Native Creations Art Show
2026 POMO PROJECT CALL FOR NATIVE ARTISTS
Hello Artists!
After the success of our wonderful Art Exhibit in 2025, the Pomo Project is excited to announce that we are sponsoring another all-California Native group art event. The 2026 California Native Creations show is again being hosted by the City of Santa Rosa, and will be held in the beautiful Person Senior Wing of the Finley Community Center.
Art Show Scheduled Dates
Submission Deadline: August 31, 2026
Installation by Artists: Friday, September 11 9AM - 3 PM
Show Opens to the Public: Monday, September 14th - Thursday, November 19 Monday - Friday
Reception: Friday, October 2 5PM – 7PM.
Tri-County Pomo Dancers will join us.
Exhibit comes down Friday, November 20 9AM - 3PM
The Senior Wing is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 8:30AM to 4:30PM
The exhibit will feature paintings, basketry, beadwork, jewelry, and more,
all by Indigenous California artists.
ARCHIVES & BIBLIOGRAPHIES
Join Us!
We need people to help coordinate events, raise funds, create publicity, and involve local businesses. Businesses can participate in this year's festivities: Display a Pomo Project Poster in your window. Donate a percentage of sales. Link your website to ours, and visit us on Facebook for related activities. Make a cash or in-kind donation. Be listed as a sponsor.
If you're new to Pomo culture, check out books and videos from your local library. Share what you discover to nurture your own and others' curiosity and understanding. Visit the art shows, attend the workshops and presentations. Host a Pomo history presenter. Experience the Tri-County Pomo Dancers. Transportation and food for dancers. Printing our posters, flyers and cards. Honorarium for participants and professional fees.
Your check payable to The Pomo Project can help with transportation and food for dancers, printing posters, flyers and cards, honorariam and professional fees for participants.
Please send to:
The Pomo Project
4917 Yeager Dr.
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Archived Pomo Project Posters & Annoucements
