History

• The Pomo Indians began to form near Clear Lake, where a pre-Pomo language was developed. Over time, the Indians spread out and divided into tribes out of which four languages were born, western, eastern, southern, and northern Pomo. Before the arrival of the Spanish and other Europeans, the Pomo tribes developed extensively, especially in the Sonoma Lake region of California, which was heavily populated by Pomo tribesmen. After the arrival of Europeans, the Pomo way of life changed forever. Many were forced from their homes, fleeing missionaries in some areas and having their land taken in others. A deadly outbreak of smallpox in 1837 devastated the Pomo population. Today, the Pomo Indians are small in numbers, and they are struggling to keep hold of the original languages they possessed.
  
  

Geography

• Today the Pomo people are all located in tribes and reservations in Northern California. The Coyote Valley is composed of 70 acres of land located in the Redwood Valley of California. The Elem Indian Colony is located to the northwest of Clear Lake, the place where ancient Pomo Indians first formed tribes. One of the largest reservations that house Pomo Indians is the Graton Rancheria, which is located in California as well and was recognized first at the end of 2000.
  
  

Size

• Today the Pomo people number just over 4,000, though at their height they were a prominent and prosperous group of people. In 1770 the first census count was taken at 8,000 tribe members. However, in times far before that, the population was much greater, especially before the arrival of foreigners. The size of the tribe diminished quickly during the 1800s. In 1851, there were around 4,000 members, and only 30 years later the number dropped to 1,450.
  
  

Features

• The most significant feature of the Pomo Indians is the unique and plentiful languages used among the tribes. However, they also have an important religious system and an extensive mythology. Their myths involve stories of creationism that center around a healer spirit named Kukso or Gukso, various spirits that embody the six cardinal directions, and the spirit of the Coyote, which is their central god. The religion the Pomo practice is shamanism in relation to the coyote spirit.
  
  

Misconceptions

• A common misconception about the Pomo Indians is that they are a group of organized tribes bound by law and government, as seen among most other Native Americans. They are only bound by their blood and language and are spread out in Northern California. They make up various small tribes that operate independently from the others, though there is trade and storytelling that moves from tribe to tribe.