GO TO: Back | Sonoma County Free Press Home Page | Columns | Features

Last Revised: March, 1996

Return the Laguna to the Indians

by MARY MOORE

It's not news that the Environmental Movement has often been perceived as white, elitist and unconcerned about race relations in this country. Several environmental groups have made great strides to correct this. Citizens Clearinghouse For Hazardous Waste is a national group that has made environmental racism a top priority in the last few years. The Nevada Test Site group and the folks fighting the Ward Valley Nuke Dump are a couple of other examples of white groups building lasting alliances with Native Americans. Some groups however, continue with their single issue focus and remain clueless about racial dynamics and how their work fits into the bigger picture of social change and justice.

A classic example of this is occuring right here in Sonoma County where due to a lack of respect on the part of the white folks, tension has developed between the Laguna Uplands Project and the local Native American community. The very worthy goal is to save a chunk of Sebastopol's pristine laguna from development and put it into permanent protection. All are in agreement about that.

The problem surfaced when the Uplands Project finally went to local Native American groups for endorsements. The Indians tried unsuccessfully to get answers from the group about it's goals and its plans for who would control and define this project. The site is rich in Indian history but when local native people went to the Sebastopol City Council to ask for language in a resolution that would assure them control of the proposed Native American Cultural Center, the environmentalists became upset and accused the Indians of being disruptive and threatening their funding. Space prohibits going into the many instances of hostility and disrespect from the Uplands group towards the Indians but there have been many including an overt racist remark by one member that was not challenged by any of the others in the group.

It seems to me that even if this land is saved it is going to come with alot of spiritual baggage hanging over it. It also seems to me that this could have been a GIFT to the environmentalists if only they had seen it that way. They had an opportunity to do things DIFFERENTLY here--to listen--really listen--to the feelings of the very people they say they want to honor and to break the long cycle of racist behavior that is our legacy in this country. Unfortunately nothing I have seen from these individuals indicates that the willingness to listen--to show respect--is there. They're forging right ahead with their plans and their fundraising while representing the project to the public as though everything is just dandy. They may save the land from development but It looks like an empty victory to me and It doesn't need to happen like that.

Here's my simple solution for the Uplands Project but don't hold your breath:

Deed the Laguna to the local Native American communities. The Indians will decide if they wish to develop a Native American Cultural Center and if they do, they will define it and control it. Then sit back and be proud of yourselves for your part in building bridges of trust and permanent alliances for you will have truly saved not only the land but your souls.

Return to Granma Nudge Return to Columns Page Return to Sonoma CountyFree Press Home Page