UKIAH, Calif. – Mendocino College Superintendent/President Dr. Arturo Reyes announced an official dedication ceremony for the Ukiah campus’ “Pomo Plaza” monument will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 7, starting at 11:30 a.m.

All American Indian tribes and members of the community are invited to attend.

In 2017, Mendocino College Board of Trustees approved the renaming of the college square at the Ukiah campus to “Pomo Plaza.”

The primary intent of this significant change was to recognize the longstanding presence of native people on local land and highlight the many contributions of the Pomo tribes.

The college commemorated this important step by placing a prominent stone monument within Pomo Plaza, which lists many of the local Pomo tribes by name.

The monument reflects both the college’s deep respect for American Indians, their cultures, experiences and knowledge, and the desire to develop mutually beneficial relationships with local American Indian communities.

Mendocino College hopes to acknowledge the Pomo’s concerted resistance, bravery and survival against exploitation and hostility toward their traditional culture and to respectfully honor the resilience of the native people, their language, culture and sovereignty.

The project has been part of ongoing equity work Mendocino College has initiated over the past few years in order to strengthen the community, create a more inclusive campus culture, and inspire success among the diverse communities the district serves.

The Mendocino College Ukiah campus is located at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah.