LAKEPORT >> Following two years of hard work and town meetings the grand opening of Xabatin Community Park celebrated this lakefront picturesque scene along the shore of Clear Lake on October 26.
The grand opening of Xabatin meaning “big water” in the language of Pomo tribal nations living around the lake for 20,000 years, noted keynote speaker Pomo Elder Ron Montez and also the tribal historic preservation officer, have become a very strong people owing to historic struggle.
“When hardship comes, we buckle down and find a way to get through it,” Montez said. “There was always enough here, and we made room for everyone. We are not a confrontational people.”
Lauding the state grant award of $5.9 million drawn from California Proposition 68 (the$4 billion “Parks, Environment, and Water Bond Act of 2018) Richard Rendon, office chief for grants and local services, CA State Parks, noted the vital aspect was community input yet because of Prop. 68 Lakeport now has a high-quality park, which transformed a vacant Xabatin into an active 6.9 acre with unique needs for residents.
“Amenities includes sports, recreation, exercise and picnic areas, skateboard track, provides access to all in the region for years to come,” Rendon said.
Xabatin today, is part of the Big Valley and Scotts Valley Pomo Indians noted Lakeport City Manager Kevin Ingram. “Both tribes still live in the Xabatin area and are a part of the vital culture and continue to practice traditional activities,” he said. “Clear Lake continues to be the central feature of our region and its beauty is what attracted many of us who call this place home. And this place is dedicated to provide access to Xabatin for enjoyment of all residents and visitors.”
Montez reminds everybody the Hitch (minnow) living in Clear Lake, historically was a principal food source for tribal people in the surrounding region. Growing up his family got by on basics of flour, rice and beans as well as hunting. “Our favorite was deer but also jack rabbits but also Manzanita Berries, greens that grew in the wild, Buckey and Walnuts. Yet the Ag growers would leave native people a portion of each harvest to enjoy.
Yet on critical aspect of life around the lake is the desire to being invited to the table to have meaningful conversations regarding development projects Montez stressed. “Tribal people would like to be involved with the nitty gritty of development negotiations,” he said. But where things go awry are some of the extraction or archeological digs that uproot Native American artifacts without permission. And often firms take such contents away from its original site only for much of the content to be discarded once the targeted elements are extracted, even though federal and state laws prohibit such activity.
“Those diggings along with cultural artifacts also contain our great grandfather’s bones,” Montez said. “And that was really harmful and hurtful. When our ancestors died, they were not always brought back to the main village for proper burial. The Pomo People believe the deceased must have things with them for the journey to the other world (hereafter). We do not want our departed to go without anything to offer in the other world. We take responsibility if things go poorly. If those artifacts are moved, it makes us fearful, because it is our responsibility to take care of the departed and do a good job there. So, we have to make restitution for anything that is not handled appropriately.”
Mayor Stacey Mattina cited the day as a special occasion to welcome all the regions’ residents and visitors to the ribbon cutting celebration.
“I’m deeply honored to stand before you as over the years Clear Lake has been the source of recreation and inspiration, where families and children gathered to enjoy concerts and festivals,” she said. “Today we’re here not to just to celebrate over our new park but to recognize a symbol of the enduring natural beauty of our city, which enhances the quality of life of our residents.”
Mattina summed up thanking the California Department of Parks and Recreation helping with the city’s vision. “You (residents) mad this park possible,” she said. “It is a symbol of a better future and stronger community.”
