The Save Our Pomo Homelands Campaign is redefining forest and climate activism in California - KPFA Terra Verde Radio
Tribal dancers and singers on their way to perform traditional song and dance at the Capitol Building Steps on March 25th
On Friday, March 25th at the Capitol Building steps in Sacramento, Tribal members from across Northern California gathered with environmental activists and community members to support efforts by the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians to halt logging in Jackson Demonstration State Forest. Guest speakers shared powerful speeches, Indigenous performers danced while others chanted to protest the logging of redwoods in the Jackson Demonstration State Forest.
It was the most significant event yet held by the Coalition to Save Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF), and was organized in a joint effort by Chairman Hunter, local youth activist Sara Rose- cofounder of the Mendocino County Youth For Climate, and the Coalition to Save Jackson. The group sees their goals as inextricably connected and are encouraging the state-wide community to look at Jackson as an example of how supporting indigenous sovereignty and achieving climate progress can be complementary strategies.
Pomo Landback Rally, Capitol Building Steps, Sacramento on March 25th, 2022
Tribal Chairman Michael Hunter hopes the high attendance of the rally will encourage state legislators to grant a moratorium before logging restarts in the forest. Since the rally, Chairman Hunter has been in discussions with Calfire, the Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot and other state legislators, working towards tribal co-management, reaching a compromise on restructuring JDSF's management plan, and designing what the future in JDSF could look like. To read more about recent communications between Calfire and Coyote Valley, click here. The Tribe is calling for the Tribal co-management of Jackson State Forest and for sacred sites within Jackson State forest to be honored and protected.
Tribal Chairwoman Priscilla Hunter speaks to the 300 attendee activists at the March 25th Sacramento Capitol Pomo Landback Rally
To see a video of Tribal singers and drumers at the Capitol Rally on March 25th, click here:
To listen to speeches given live at the rally, click here
By Genevieve Mullins and Michelle McMillian