NEWS

"What self-centered men have torn down, other-centered men can build up. When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love."
Martin Luther King

Message from the Chairman

We have self-centered men and women amongst us who spread vicious lying gossip throughout our people in an attempt to tear down our successes. We must stay centered and continue to build on our successes.

We have evil men and women amongst us that plot. They are plotting against stability and progress. They do not like themselves and therefore do not like others. They spread slander and tall tales.

I am reminded of a recent rumor that we were never going to build a community center/gymnasium because our tribal leaders had stolen all of the money. I have heard of a retired tribal leader state that if he/she were in office he/she would have made sure the last per-capita payment was more.

Our current generation of Pomo's suffer from the effects of a traumatic history across generations. It has been said that we suffer from generational post traumatic stress syndrome caused by the atrocities inflicted on our ancestors.

Signs of this syndrome are alcoholism, suicidal behavior, depression, anxiety, health problems and of course the negative gossip and personal slander that can destroy our solidarity and deflect us from our goals.

These health and social problems are a direct result of this historical trauma and further complicate the healing process.

I believe that our Pomo families, especially our children and our elders should have three meals a day for their bodies; our children deserve an education and culture for their minds; and all of our people need dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. We must empower our people by looking to the wisdom of our traditional values.

We must help our people transcend historical trauma and unresolved grief. We must restore the value to "take care of the Nation". If we can move beyond simply surviving and toward the empowerment of our people we can prevent further suffering of our Pomo children, and future generations to come. Our children are sacred and at the very heart of our nation; they must be at the center of respect, humility, commitment and self discipline.

We can attain these goals in my lifetime, but to do so we must plan - to overcome the evil plots; we must build and bind - to overcome those who will spread lies and slander; and we must commit ourselves to the glories of love - to overcome the evil men and women who spread ugly words of hatred.

The darkness can hide the light, but it cannot overcome the light. We must have the strength to continually remember this task before us.