NICE, Calif. – The Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians has received $10,000 from the First Nations Development Institute of Longmont, Colorado.
This award will support the efforts of the Tribes Kudi Ta’Weno – Eastern Pomo name for “Good Earth Medicine” – Garden Collective.
The goals of this project are to provide the Robinson Rancheria Tribal Elders Sheecome with healthy nutritious organic vegetables and fruit, and to provide a scaffold to food security.
The garden will be primarily maintained and managed by the Elders Sheecome, although all tribal members are encouraged to participate.
The Tribe’s Education Department will be key partners with the Elders Sheecome, providing the tribal youth an opportunity to learn from and work alongside the elders.
There will be a blessing ceremony at both the beginning of the planting season in the spring and at fall harvest. The fall season will culminate in a harvest feast for the tribal community, featuring food grown in the garden.
The garden design will incorporate not only the growing of crops, but also a modest walking trail for viewing and exercise purposes.
As one tribal member, Marion Quitiquit, said, “We need to develop a wellness program for a healthier life and growing a garden will help us.”
A one-acre site of farmland, groundwater and a small tractor is already available to get this project off the ground.
The tribe has established partnerships with the local Tribal Health Clinic and North Coast Opportunities, who will continue and expand their existing support of the tribe’s health goals in this project, with activities such as nutritional trainings, gardening classes and potential supply donations.
This project is supported by the six-member tribal council and signed off by our Tribal Chairman Beniakem Cromwell.
Robinson Rancheria is located in Nice, California and comprises 40 acres of trust land and an estimated 790 acres in fee land.
Historically, this area was the center of the traditional homeland of the Eastern Pomos, descendants of who represent the significant majority of our present-day tribal membership.
The mission of Robinson Rancheria is “Honoring our ancestors by preserving and practicing culture, asserting tribal sovereignty through economic development while improving the lives of all tribal members.”
This project supports the mission by creating a collective garden, which will improve the lives of the tribe’s membership by providing a healthy food source and strengthening food sovereignty.
The project will be administered through the Robinson Rancheria Environmental Department and will work closely with the Elders Sheecome in ensuring all project tasks are reported and completed.
With this funding the Kudi Ta’ Weno Garden Collective infrastructure will be established and become sustainable for decades to come.
Each season will provide new opportunities for learning about healthy living, both physically and spiritually.
Robert Quitiquit, Garden Consultant and Elder Tribal Member will be coordinating and working with volunteers to plant the garden. For further questions, please contact Temashio Anderson, environmental director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians receives $10,000 grant for the Kudi Ta’Weno Garden Collective
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