A Gathering of Elders

TERA is honored to have hosted a community gathering focused on fire and oaks at our EcoCultural Fire & Stewardship Training Center on November 8, with Tribal Elders from Robinson Rancheria, Stewarts Point Rancheria, Big Valley Rancheria, and Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians.

TERA’s new home base is adjacent to Robinson Rancheria’s new fisheries department, as well as Old Robinson Rancheria. Many elders in our community have had a relationship with the land we now call home, and we are so honored and blessed to now be the stewards of this land.

“I used to hunt deer on this land until dark. I couldn’t see anything, so I would follow the fenceline back home. That was 60 years ago. It feels good to be back,” shared Carl Anderson, Robinson Rancheria Tribal Elder.

During the gathering, several Tribal Elders participated in a small understory burn under the canopy of a grandmother blue oak, a beautiful moment of Elders caring for Elders. One day, the new generation of oak saplings will nourish and be nourished by the Native youth of tomorrow.

Thank you to the Elders for sharing your experiences. TERA will do our part in honoring your stories and implementing your vision in the future of our organization.

We also thank Patty Franklin, Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, and TERA Board member, and Jennifer Faber, Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians, for preparing an incredible meal from the land - we feasted on acorn, salmon, seaweed, pine nuts, elderberries, and venison, the night ending with bellies and hearts full of nourishment

We are grateful to Redwood Region RISE (RRRISE – Resilient, Inclusive, Sustainable Economy) for supporting the production of this gathering. RRRISE is part of the California Jobs First initiative, a state-funded effort to create inclusive, sustainable economies across California.