News Release
Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians
Chairman Michael Hunter of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians is currently involved in government-to-government consultations with the State of California regarding the protection of redwoods and oaks, ancestral sacred sites, and the critters, plants and waters in the Jackson Demonstration State Forest located in their ancestral Northern Pomo and Coast Yuki territory.
The Tribe has joined with local environmental activists to form the Save Jackson State Forest Coalition and is pleased to announce that on June 7th, the Director of the State Board of Forestry announced that “Operations at Jackson Demonstration State Forest remain on hold pending government to government engagement with the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians.” He also declared that three controversial Timber Harvest Plans under consideration by the current forest managers “have been withdrawn from the review process pending the outcome of government to government consultation with the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians.” (Page 2 at that link)
These state actions are a result of the strong assertion of Tribal Sovereignty by the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, an ongoing non-violent direct action campaign by local citizens, and many citizens sending letters of protest to their elected officials.
The Tribal consultations with the State include forging a co-management agreement in which the Tribe and the State will mutually manage the Jackson Demonstration State Forest pursuant to a policy declaration from the Governor enabling tribes to co-manage state lands and obtain surplus state-owned lands in their ancestral territories. This policy declaration complements the Governor’s creation of a Truth and Healing Council of tribal representatives from throughout the state to address and heal the wounds of state sanctioned genocide, slavery, and other injustices.
Priscilla Hunter, the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer stated “After many years of contentious relations with the Tribes throughout the state, as Nations within a Nation, we are asserting our tribal sovereignty to protect our cultural ways. We are now at the table in government-to-government consultation as co-equal partners in the management of our ancestral territories and this is a historic moment for social and environmental justice. We thank the many local citizens and environmental groups that have stood with us in our effort to change the mandate of this State Forest from industrial logging to Forest Preservation.”
