Priscilla Hunter, age 77, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 16, surrounded by her family and friends who sang her home.
Priscilla was a well-known Tribal leader and environmental activist who was committed to preserving her Pomo cultural heritage for future generations.
In 1957 her family was terminated from tribal recognition because of their eviction from the original Coyote Valley Rancheria in order to create Lake Mendocino. Not until the mid-1970s was her family able to regain federal tribal recognition. With her grandmother, mother, aunts and uncles, Priscilla helped develop the new Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians and their reservation.
In her capacity as Tribal Administrator and Tribal Chairwoman over several years, Priscilla participated in developing Tribal housing, a gymnasium, pool, education center, and other facilities on the reservation. She also sat on the California Indian Gaming Association in connection with the Coyote Valley Casino.
In 1994 she led a Pomo Peace Caravan to Mexico to aid the Zapatistas in their struggle to support the Indigenous people of Oaxaca.
Priscilla was appointed to the California Native American Heritage Commission, which allowed her to support other tribes in their tribal sovereignty, cultural practices, and federal recognition. With ten Mendocino County tribes, Priscilla helped initiate and lead the InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council to preserve nearly 5000 acres of forest near the Usal Campground on the northwest coast.
Of many statewide Native cultural initiatives that Priscilla participated in, two include the California Indian Recognition Task Force and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
With her long-time partner Polly Girvin, Priscilla worked in coalitions to defend heritage landscapes and to demand Pomo Land Back, such as those encompassed by the Willits bypass and Jackson Demonstration State Forest.
Priscilla had an intuitive sense of politics and people, as well as a great sense of humor. Her deep wisdom allowed her to weather various struggles. Priscilla’s strong spiritual presence was felt by everyone she worked with and knew.
Priscilla was preceded in death by her mother Delma Eyle, her Father Thomas Ramos, brothers Tom and Timothy Ramos, her granddaughter Courtnee Priscilla Hunter, and great grandson Mateo Delgadillo-Hunter.
She is survived by her partner Polly Girvin, two children, Melinda and Michael Hunter, grandchildren Justine, Tristen and Ma-Kayla Hunter, and great-grandchildren, Courtnee, Chloee, Cambree, and Adriel Delgadillo-Hunter, Daniel Felix, Calvin Zarco and Willow Zarco, sisters Nina Campbell, Tina Ramos, brother Tommy Ramos, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
We at the Coalition to Save Jackson Forest will miss Priscilla tremendously, and also feel huge gratitude toward her, and honor her. We know that her wisdom and spirit will continue to guide our work for the forest, and for ecological and indigenous justice.
