The Ancestors Call from the Berkeley Shellmound
The first Ohlone skeleton disturbed by Berkeley construction workers on March 29 was alarming. But of course the work was allowed to continue because few pay attention and money talks. The second…
The Tempest Over Terry
I had the honor of screening films and guest lecturing twice with Terry Tempest Williams at her awesome “Arts, Advocacy and Landscape” class at the University of Utah. It is very sad that Terry’s…
Ohlone Burial Disturbed in Berkeley
It was a sad, sunless Sunday at the corner of 4th Street and Hearst. Few shoppers—or Berkeley residents for that matter—are aware that an ancient Ohlone village once graced this sprawling site around…
Feinstein Embarrassed on Shasta Dam
Secret negotiations are fascinating to behold, especially when the fate of a Native American tribe hangs in the balance, not to mention the California environment. The 2015 window is closing for…
Please Don’t Flood My Cathedral
I was having some fun last week writing a letter of protest to Senator Barbara Boxer with water scientist Peter Gleick and Winnemem Chief Caleen Sisk. Ideas and questions were flying back and forth…
Open Letter to Sen. Barbara Boxer
On October 29, 2015, the following letter was delivered to Senator Barbara Boxer. Led by Winnemem Wintu Chief Caleen Sisk, an array of notable allies ask Senator Boxer to amend the California…
Shasta Dam Threatens Winnemem
California Senator Dianne Feinstein and the Westlands Water District are teaming up to deliver yet another wave of water wealth to corporate farmers and campaign contributors in central and southern…
Indigenous Reflections on Christianity
It’s a story that has played out all over the world. First come the missionaries doing good. Indigenous communities split apart and connections to land, ancestors and spirits of place weaken—not…