POMO PROJEct
Sebastopol Sonoma County Santa Rosa
Molin Malicay was a leader, educator, tireless advocate for Indian health, and so much more. Not only was he the CEO of the Sonoma County Indian Health Project (SCIHP) for 17 years, he traveled across the country giving workshops and trainings about Native history for small groups and major corporations. Professionally and personally, Molin was comfortable in any environment and with people from all walks of life. After Molin “retired” from SCIHP, he continued to work with various nonprofits as a consultant.
As a long-time supporter of the Pomo Project, Molin brought his wisdom and experience to the Pomo Project organizing team. He also participated in numerous interview programs on KOWS Radio in Sonoma County. Molin’s favorite event that he helped create was the Elders Panel, where we asked Indigenous seniors to share their experiences growing up Indian, and “Living in Two Worlds.”
For several years, Molin continued sharing educational presentations for local audiences during Pomo Honoring Month. Topics included California History and the Mission System and Government Indian Boarding Schools. Because of his strong commitment to a wide range of Indian health issues, he also incorporated the physical and mental health challenges caused by multi-generational trauma. As a mentor, Molin was inciteful, funny, kind and generous. Molin lived a life of service for decades and touched many lives. His loss is immeasurable for Native communities, and everyone who came in contact with him—especially those who were privileged to call him a friend.
Molin Malicay
May 29, 1944 - May 18, 2025
In Memoriam
A History of Honoring
The Sebastopol City Council resolved that each October to be Pomo Honoring Month,
celebrating the continued presence and enduring culture of the Pomo people.
​
Annual Pomo Honoring Month - Resolution #5793
PASSED, APPROVED & ADOPTED this 4th day of May, 2010, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Robinson, Shaffer, Kelley, Vice Mayor Wilson and Mayor Gurney
NOES: None • ABSTAIN: None • ABSENT: None
(Signed by) SARAH GLADE GURNEY, MAYOR • (Attested by) MARY GOURLEY, CITY CLERK
Recognition of Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria - Resolution #5818
On September 21, 2010, the Sebastopol City Council voted to adopt a resolution
specifically recognizing the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria as representing the
descendants of our area's original inhabitants.
​
Read Full Resolution
Honoring & Celebrating
the contributions of the Indigenous people of our area
​
In their 15th year of bringing free educational events to Sonoma County, Pomo people
have lived here for thousands of years, and “Pomo Country” extends through a significant area of
Northern California, including Sonoma County, Mendocino and Lake Counties.
Pomo Project has hosted Pomo Honoring Month each October since 2010 .
and has included basket weaving workshops, history lectures, beading workshops,
art exhibits, radio shows, plays, and an Elders’ Forum. Honoring month also invites you to
enjoy performances by the Pomo Dancers of Sonoma County.
A small community-based organization, Pomo Project relies upon donations.
Our leadership team is comprised of all volunteers, including Pomo and non-Pomo people.
​
Our Mission Statement
Pomo Honoring Month emphasizes awareness of Pomo history
and building bridges for future generations.
Pomo wisdom traditions hold value for resolving contemporary challenges.
We support Pomo people having an active voice in public policy,
including development, education, culture, and vision.
Not affiliated with any specific tribal group, we value collaboration
with all Pomo people toward reconciliation and understanding.
The Pomo Project was initiated by Armando Williams when he visited Sebastopol Gallery and was moved by the Native content in Sandy Eastoak's featured work. Other Sebastopol Gallery artists soon joined in and gallery members voted toset aside their Fall, 2010, rotation to show work from the Pomo Project. Armando would help the artists learn about Pomo culture and medicine ways, introduce them to Pomo elders and ceremony and trust them to create work reflecting and honoring the Pomo way of life.
"Flickerbird" ©Sandy Eastoak 2025
As the artists talked about the project, people in the community quickly became enthusiastic about the need to understand Pomo history and culture, and to involve Pomo people in decision making processes as we work toward sustainability, justice, and harmony. Many people expressed a desire for education and reconciliation.As our ideas became bigger than our ability to organize, we recognized the need for an annual celebration, and are grateful that the Sebastopol City Council agreed.
Original Pomo Baskets © Buffie Schmidt 2025
Pomo Project Coordinating Team
Rose Hammock
A young cultural leader among the Pomo community. Rose is Pomo, Wailacki, and Maidu, and is an enrolled tribal member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes. She is a traditional dancer, new basket weaver, and language learner of Eastern Pomo dialect and Wailacki Kunnes. Rose also works for a Native woman-led non profit organization here in Sonoma County, called Redbud Resource Group https://www.redbudresourcegroup.org/
