Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT
N A T I V E P L A N T S O F T H E C O A S T A L T R I B E S O F S O N O M A & M A R I N C O U N T Y
To better understand the importance of the native plant species of the coastal tribes of Sonoma and Marin County which comprise of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and the Kashaya Band of Pomo Indians, we have complied a list of native plants and their uses here. Plants are harvested for various use from technical uses for making objects like baskets, awls, bows arrow, drills, etc., medicinal, food and spiritual/ceremonial uses. The list of plants below are only a beginning to the larger list used by the Coast Miwok, Southern Pomo and the South West Pomo. If you have additional information on native plants please contact us.
The information contained in the native plant section is compiled from information gathered from:
Kashaya Pomo Elders: Essie Parrish, Sidney Parrish, Violet Chappell and Vivian Wilder.
Kashaya Pomo Plants by Jennie Goodrich , Claudia Lawson and Vana Parrish Lawson
Plants of FIGR Material Culture Informational material collected and compiled by Nick Tipon
USDA Website
© 2010 Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria | HOME | EDUCATION | WATER | AIR | WASTE | GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE | TOXIC/HAZARDOUS MATERIALS | ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE | RESOURCES | CONTACT Kashaya season wheel calendar used with permission from Eric Wilder © Eric Wilder
Understanding the issues surrounding Native plants can be a great way to learn about the history of the area, local culture and most importantly, about yourself. Working with native plants also, can be a great way to serve your community, make valuable connections, and even have a career.
After decades of native habitat destruction there is somewhat of a renaissance taking place right here in the counties of Sonoma and Marin. Right now public projects including creek restorations, watershed rehabilitations, County Park plans, and National Park restoration efforts are all using the reintroduction of Native species as a means to reach their goals.
Whether it is in the too often overlooked Laguna de Santa Rosa, the hidden but historical Tolay Lake and surrounding San Pablo Bay region, or the nationally recognized Point Reyes Seashore (the list could really just go on), the demand for tribal members to participate in the management of native habitats is growing. Fast!
The growing demand is not just limited to public projects. Increased demand is coming from private residents as well. As the idea of sustainable living becomes more mainstream, residents are replacing backyards and gardens of old with more efficient, less demanding native habitats.
There are too many benefits of a native landscape to list in this article, but even for those who are not outdoors enthusiasts some key benefits include less time spent pulling weeds and lowered maintenance costs ranging from reductions in chemical pesticides to lower water bills.
Just like any other “industry”, there are many diverse areas that you can get involved in; teachers; landscape developers; public and private consultants, just to name a few.
In some cases, the tribe may have a special niche as the recognized tribe of a specific area, but in other cases, such as a private business, tribal members will need to get involved early to establish themselves before someone else does! It really is a great time for the Tribe and its members.
As more tribal members fill these diverse roles, it is not just good for the individual who is serving the community, but good for the Tribe as a whole.
Seasonal Calendar of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
Seasonal Calendar of the Kashaya Band of Pomo Indians
NATIVE PLANT USES
Medicinal Uses
Technical Uses
Food Uses
Ceremonial/Spiritual Uses
SEASONAL GATHERING
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Iris
Gumplant
Huckleberry
Ithurieal’s Spear
Seaweed
Jimson Weed
Lupine
Mugwort
Redbud
Redwood
Rush
Salmon Berry
Seaweed
Sedge
Showy Indian Clover
Silverweed
Soaproot
Strawberry
Sunflower
Tobacco
Toyon
Valley oak
Wax Myrtle
Willow
Yarrow
Yerba Buena
