Mendocino County Pomo women featured speakers at Women’s History Gala Celebration
The Mendocino Women’s Political Coalition (MWPC) with AAUW-Ukiah is launching the 39th Annual Women’s History Gala Celebration to be held on Sunday, March 5, at the Saturday Afternoon Clubhouse, 107 S. Oak St., Ukiah. Doors will open at noon for the Silent Auction and socializing, and the program will begin at 12:30 p.m.
In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week, and U.S. presidents have followed by proclaiming March as Women’s History Month. The National Women’s History Alliance announced the theme for 2023: “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” Our story-telling community women are essential in making our history visible, and MWPC recognizes particular women who have been active in many forms of storytelling
The three Mendocino County 2023 Honorees selected to represent diverse paths as women who have devoted their time and talents to producing art and news in pursuing truth and reflecting society are: Dot Brovarney, Fort Bragg, author, historian and curator; Sarah Reith, Ukiah, author, artist and journalist; and Ellen Weed, Ukiah, actor, director and teacher.
Ukiah Mayor Mari Rodin will serve as emcee. The program will be dedicated to poet Mary Norbert Korte (1934-2022). Ukiah Poet Laureate Emerita Linda Noel will be reading from Korte’s new book, “Jumping Into the American River: New and Selected Poems,” published by Argus Books/TKS.
Featured speakers will be Corine Pearce, Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo, and Buffie Schmidt, Sherwood Valley Rancheria, who both embody the 2023 theme as everything they do involves storytelling. Corine Pearce is a major force for revitalizing and celebrating the culture of her Pomo people, connecting indigenous people with each other, and bridging the gap between the Native and non-Native communities in Mendocino County and afar through her various means of storytelling.
Quilt artist Laura Fogg says, “I think the most important thing about Corine is that she is a ‘connector.’ When I asked if she might be interested in participating in an art show for Art Center Ukiah, she immediately said yes.” Pearce contacted people from a dozen Northeast tribes and collaborated for a year to depict their stories through the medium of art quilting which is now booked at four other art centers plus an international quilt show.
Corine Pearce just received a Silver Award for Community Engagement in the 2nd Annual Anthem Awards “Education, Arts and Culture” category. She joins fellow winners Amanda Gorman and Gloria Steinem, feminist. In 2020, along with winning the Jennifer Easton Lifetime Achievement Award, the youngest at age 44, Pearce was among the first cohort of 10 fellows receiving the Henry Luce Foundation $50,000 award to support indigenous knowledge holders and makers dedicated to creating positive community change. With more than 30 years’ experience making Pomo baskets Pearce says, “Basket weaving heals and restores both the land and the people.” Her book, “Pomo Cradle Baskets: An Introduction,” was published in 2018 by Beauty & Love Publishing.
Over her year-long fellowship period, which coincided with the Covid pandemic, Pearce launched a new apprenticeship program to increase the number of Pomo weavers. She also hosts a KZYX Radio show, “Good Ancestors and Local Treasures with Corine Pearce,” airing the first Monday of every month at 9 a.m.
Buffie Schmidt is a Pomo dancer, regalia maker, Pomo basket weaver, and wild indigenous food and medicine gatherer. Schmidt is a Northern Pomo woman enrolled with Sherwood Valley Rancheria, Willits, where she has served as the Vice Chairperson for three years.
“I am fourth generation of Pomo cradle basket weavers,” Schmidt explains, “I was first taught the tradition at age 13 by my mom, Christine Hamilton from Yokayo Rancheria. She was taught by Elsie Allen who was taught by her mother, Annie Burke. These wise and talented elders have since crossed over, but their legacy lives on in our traditions and our ‘old ways.’”
For two years, Schmidt has been teaching at Ukiah High School, revitalizing her Northern Pomo language with the help of a Northern Pomo linguist. “I feel it is my destiny to teach my culture, especially to the youth to keep my Pomo culture alive. I also share cultural knowledge with South Valley/Big Picture Learning School as well as other tribes including, of course, my own tribe.” Buffie Schmidt has been interviewed in “The Broken Promise” film, which is an official selection for the 2023 Montreal Independent Film Festival
To honor ancestors and to save old-growth trees, the Sinkyone Intertribal Council has become the steward to thousands of acres in California. Buffie Schmidt, who serves as the treasurer of the Council, with several other women were featured in National Geographic as part of the July 2022 issue. “We are Here,” the cover story, explores how Native Nations are reclaiming their sovereignty and building their cultures.
The Women’s History Planning Committee is particularly delighted this year to provide musical entertainment by the Real Sarahs. Americana rising stars Sarah Larkin and Sarah Ryan, harmony singers and songwriters, will share their special gift of vocal synergy that promises to enchant and uplift.
Everyone is invited to attend this Women’s History Gala to celebrate women, enjoy refreshments, and to be inspired by the speeches, music and poetry. Be prepared to bid in the Silent Auction, as the Annual Gala is MWPC’s only event to raise funds to support women candidates for elected office, provide candidate training, and to organize candidate nights. Ticket donation, $10 at the door. Information: mcclurelynda48@gmail.com