CLEARLAKE >> About 300 people took a walk through time Saturday night, delving deep into 14,000 years of local Native American history, culture and traditions.
Their guides included the “Indiana Jones” of Lake County, John Parker, the official archaeologist for the Anderson Marsh State Historic Park; and noted actor, author and advocate of Native American rights, Peter Coyote.
The event at the Highlands Senior Center celebrated National Native American Day in a local way with several Clear Lake tribes represented, including the Pomo and Koi, part of the Koi nation.
Native American values, including contributions to the history and culture of Clear Lake, were celebrated at the event. It featured dancing, music and the world premier of a documentary movie about Anderson Marsh, once occupied by the Koi Nation.
The evening opened with the Red Voices Inter-Tribal singers composed of eight men with native drum sticks sitting around a large drum, beating on it hypnotically, often while singing Lakota Pow Wow songs in the Lakota language. They’re led by drum keeper David Ocaranza of Sonoma County, a member of the Tara Humara Tribe.
“Drums are the heartbeat of the Indian Nations,” he said. “When we come here to drum and sing, we are sending out medicine to everyone.”
It was followed by a talk by Parker about the archeological and historical significance of Anderson Marsh, along with his efforts to get the state to purchase the once privately owned land and turn it into a state historic park.
Saturday night’s gala was a family affair for the Elem Pomo Dancers of Clearlake Oaks, one of the event’s displays of Native American culture.
The Native American dance troupe is led by patriarch Jim Brown, who describes himself as the “cultural and spiritual leader” for the Elem Pomo tribe. Dancers include his wife, Gail Brown, along with their children and grandchildren.
“It’s great to be here,” Jim Brown said. “We want to share our culture and take our dancing out to the public to keep our traditions alive.”
Drummer Vince Helper of Santa Rosa echoed Brown’s sentiment. “It’s a blessing for all of us to come together here to bring awareness to Native People,” he said.
The 30-minute movie, “A Walk Through Time: The Story of Anderson Marsh,” ran through the 14,000 years that the Koi Nation occupied Anderson March, until the 1840s when they were driven off their Clear Lake island home by the influx of white settlers.
The documentary was introduced by North Bay resident Coyote, who said the evening was dedicated to “…this place (Anderson Marsh) and all the wonderful people who came together to make this film.”
Coyote’s acting credits include roles in “E. T. The Extraterrestrial,” “Sphere” and “Erin Brockovich.” He is currently out promoting his new autobiography, “The Rainman’s Third Cure: An Irregular Education.”
At its conclusion, the documentary received a roaring ovation by the crowd. The movie was directed by Dan Bruns, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker from Chico.
The evening ended with a question and answer session by the makers of the film and members of the Koi Nation of Northern California.
Sponsors of the event included the City of Clearlake, the Koi Nation Cultural Protection Association and the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association. Proceeds from the evening benefit the two associations.
