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Native Cinema 2023 - Groundworks
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Lifting Up Cultural Leaders
Native Cinema is in its second season to uplift Native Cultural Leaders and bring visibility, acknowledgment, and responsibility to the Mendocino Coast. In partnership with local Northern Pomo cultural leaders, and Xa Kako Dile, Thanksgiving Coffee supports the work of our first nations leaders who share valuable wisdom for regenerative ways to shape our shared future.
Coastal Pomo Dancers in traditional regalia.
This year's Native Cinema program opens with the Coastal Pomo Dancers who will offer place-based ancestral song and dance to honor the land. The Dancers feature: Bernadette Smith (Board Chair of Xa Kako Dile: one of the first Indigenous women-led farms on the Mendocino Coast), Clarence Carrillo, Natalie Smith, and Shayne McCloud.
"Land acknowledgments go beyond words to recognize and honor Indigenous peoples as the original land stewards. They are a crucial step in correcting historical erasure and marginalization. Rather than rushing through acknowledgment, it should be approached with intention and followed by meaningful action. Tailoring acknowledgments to specific Indigenous groups and engaging directly with them fosters accuracy and respect. Acknowledging ongoing colonization and its impact is vital for reconciliation. Land acknowledgment should be accompanied by building relationships and informed action. It can spark conversations and contribute to broader decolonization efforts. Research and genuine engagement with Indigenous communities are essential. Land acknowledgments invite us to learn, understand, and act toward reconciliation today." Kanyon Sayors-Roods
Language Vitalization in Song
This special short will play before the film feature with music composed and performed by Esme Olivia. Esme grew up in traditional Tiwa lands known as Albuquerque, NM. Hers is a weaving of lineages from Mexico, Holland, the Jewish diaspora, & the Great Mystery. She is a movement, theatre, music & teaching artist with Dancing Earth Creations & independent projects. Esme is especially keen on vocal harmonies, & how music, dance & storytelling may seed new culture & offer fresh water for the thirsty. EsmeOlivia.com
Esme Olivia
Groundworks - Feature Film
Filmmaker: Ian Garrett, Director, Producer, Writer, Camera
Groundworks is a documentary that shares stories of California Indigenous Artists. On San Francisco’s first official Indigenous People’s Day, a group of Native artists contributed a dance performance, Groundworks, to the annual Sunrise Ceremony on Alcatraz—nearly 50 years after the Indians of All Tribes occupied the island and brought attention to Native American rights. These artists, through their contemporary creative practices and activism, are working towards the reclamation of Native lands while restoring traditional ways of knowing and making.
Native Cinema Presents
Groundworks
June 4th, 2023
3:00pm PT
Mendocino Film Festival
A Panel Discussion with the Artist will follow the film.
L. Frank
L. Frank
Tongva-Acjachemen artist, writer, tribal scholar, cartoonist, and Indigenous language activist. She is an important keeper of knowledge related to Indigenous craft, building techniques, traditional foods, agriculture, and land management. In addition to activism to reclaim language, L. Frank has led the building of Tongva canoes through traditional means.
Bernadette Antoinette Smith
Bernadette Antoinette Smith
Coastal Pomo from the Manchester/Point Arena Band. She has dedicated her life to the restoration and revitalization of the Chichkale, the Kashia word for the Tan Oak. She supports youth to stay connected to the land, sacred sites and to celebrate the acorn. She uses contemporary dance and music to breathe new life into their beautiful Pomo language and tell the stories of the Acorn from the beginning to the destruction that we see today. As an environmental justice activist, she protects against the use of harmful herbicides in the forest of the beautiful Mendocino coast.
Ras K'dee
Ras K’Dee
Pomo, with ties to multiple bands in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. Ras is an accomplished musician and producer. He fronts Audiopharmacy, an internationally touring musical group that defies styles. He is also the editor for Snag Magazine and is building The Nest, an arts and community facility in Forestville, California which will be dedicated to having half of all collaborators be Indigenous. Audiopharmacy.com
Kanyon Sayers-Roods
Kanyon Sayers-Roods
Ohlone Mutsun and Chumash Native American Kanyon Coyote Woman Sayers-Roods art is a sincere expression of her Native heritage. Kanyon’s visual descriptions are always based on nature and the natural world. Dedicated and active in the Native Community, Kanyon provides leadership, serving as an artist, poet, activist, student and teacher for up and coming scholars ready to challenge their creative paths and remind people what it means to decolonized. Kanyon’s lifelong artistic vision is to convey principal ideas of Native culture through visual means. Offering her voice and her art to remind our community that Indigenous perspectives and cultural continuity is ever present and prevalent. CEO of Kanyon Konsulting and caretaker of Indian Canyon "Federally recognized Indian Country" in the south Bay between San Francisco and Monterey. Kanyon Konsulting Is dedicated to preaching the gap between indigenous and contemporary value systems. Kanyonkonsulting.com
Panel Facilitators and Co-Producers:
U’ilani Wesley is a Kanaka Oiwi (Native Hawaiian) originally from Honolulu, Hawaii. She is the Executive Director and co-founder of Xa Kako Dile: one of the first Indigenous and woman-led non-profits here in Northern California. She is an educator, activist, singer, speaker, mentor, and proud Mama. Positive change starts with ourselves, Imua Kakou (moving forward together).
U’ilani is honored to be a part of the fabric of Turtle Island to promote healing, awareness and share Aloha! XaKakoDile.com
Lavender Grace - is of Celtic and Nordic descent raised on the California Coast and works with Thanksgiving Coffee Company as a consultant. She is the co-creator of the Bee Bold Alliance, a world renewal project to restore biodiversity and support local food systems. In partnership with cultural community leaders she is creating contemporary indigenous storytelling programs for multicultural and multi-generational mentor-ship and sound health.
May our Legacy Live on in our Flowers and our Songs.
Bee Bold Coffee Supports Our Pollinators for Generations to Come
Learn More about our Work and our Journey in the World of Coffee
Recommended Reading
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![July Events 2023]()
Summer of Fun
July is only halfway done and yet the events are nonstop! Getting out amongst the world of coffee lovers gives us the best connection possible and exposure of our products to a wide range of audiences.
We have been doing lots and lots of non-stop local (and not-so-local) events recently, including:
Caspar-Fest
An annual event at the Caspar Community Center that brings the community together with local vendors and music in celebration of Caspar, CA
Bubbles, facepainting, kidzone at Caspar Fest with U'ilani Wesley
The band La Onda
The band Momma Grows Funk
The Redwood Coast Recreation Center
Here we offered our coffee to support the center in Sea Ranch, CA
"Your presence really added a nice touch and helped make it a successful event. We have gotten a LOT of positive feedback so we are hoping to repeat the event next summer!"
Beth Roland
B Local Bay Area
This event was a group mixer for B Corps in San Francisco. As a certfied B Corp we enjoy meeting and working with our local chapter to learn about the good work and practices of our colleagues.
The Chair of the Bay Area B Local Keira Murphy addresses the gathering, and a downtown view of Sales Force Tower in San Francisco
Nathan Nies at the Thanksgiving Coffee station sharing our delicious coffee and story with our fellow B Corp community.
The Mendocino Music Festival!
We have been serving coffee as a sponsor of the Music Festival since it's humble beginnings in 1986.
Festival Orchestra 1, with soloists Jessica Fellowes and Katie Kadarauch
View from the Festival Tent
Lavender Grace enjoying a cup of coffee at the Festival
Coffee brings people together. We are happy to support our community to learn and grow and celebrate one another with great coffee.
Stay tuned to all our Coffee Adventures
July Events 2023
read more -
![The World’s Largest Salmon BBQ]()
We Were There!
Participants of the Salmon BBQ in the beautiful Noyo Harbor, CA
The World’s Largest Salmon BBQ happened on 7/1, and again – Thanksgiving Coffee was there! This event brings together thousands of salmon lovers to raise money for salmon habitat restoration. The salmon fishery in California was closed this year – completely – in order to let the salmon population rebound, so everything that we can do to support increased spawning grounds will help the salmon, our local economy, and the entire ecosystem.
Thanksgiving Coffee Booth at the Salmon BBQ with CEO, Jonah Katzeff (on right ) out front.
Our booth provided hot coffee (Mocha Java and Royal Decaf) and cold brew (Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Natural from the Gedeb region) in exchange for any donation to Salmon Restoration. We raised nearly $500 from donations alone. Our Office Manager, Jennifer, CEO Jonah, and co-founders Paul and Joan were on hand with Sales and Marketing Manager, Joe, to keep the coffee flowing for 8 hours.
Jennifer Brown at Thanksgiving Coffee Booth at the Salmon BBQ
All we can do to support increased spawning grounds will help the salmon,
our local economy, and the entire ecosystem.We were not alone in this effort: fellow B Corps including North Coast Brewing Company and Harvest Market were on hand to donate, raise additional funds, and support the cause. The menu usually includes corn on the cob, but corn was in short supply this year, so Harvest Market was able to source organic new potatoes to supplant the menu.
Jennifer Bosma on right, representing both Harvest Market and Rotary
North Coast Brewing Company's CEO, Jennifer Owen, along with senior brewing staff serving a thirsty crowd at the World's Largest Salmon BBQ
Dozens of volunteers helped pull this event together and make it run smoothly including Rotary International (with participation from both Fort Bragg and Mendocino chapters), California Conservation Corp., Mendocino Sheriff’s Department, Salmon Restoration Association, and the celebrity grill team including lots of local dignitaries including Fort Bragg’s Mayor, several County Commissioners, local business owners, and many, many more.
Volunteers Serving up the food with smiles
"West of Nowhere" playing at the Salmon BBQ
The event had a lively festival atmosphere with great weather, great vibes and lots of live music including West of Nowhere (pictured), Steven Bates Band, the Caspar Kings, Earl Oliver, and Deep Pockets who started the day off with some very danceable grooves. One of the highlights is the annual release of the supporting shirt… this year’s shirt slogan, “If you must smoke – smoke salmon.”
Follow Stories of Restoration and More All Fueled by Coffee
The World’s Largest Salmon BBQ
read more
Summer of Fun
July is only halfway done and yet the events are nonstop! Getting out amongst the world of coffee lovers gives us the best connection possible and exposure of our products to a wide range of audiences.
We have been doing lots and lots of non-stop local (and not-so-local) events recently, including:
Caspar-Fest
An annual event at the Caspar Community Center that brings the community together with local vendors and music in celebration of Caspar, CA
Bubbles, facepainting, kidzone at Caspar Fest with U'ilani Wesley
The band La Onda
The band Momma Grows Funk
The Redwood Coast Recreation Center
Here we offered our coffee to support the center in Sea Ranch, CA
"Your presence really added a nice touch and helped make it a successful event. We have gotten a LOT of positive feedback so we are hoping to repeat the event next summer!"
Beth Roland
B Local Bay Area
This event was a group mixer for B Corps in San Francisco. As a certfied B Corp we enjoy meeting and working with our local chapter to learn about the good work and practices of our colleagues.
The Chair of the Bay Area B Local Keira Murphy addresses the gathering, and a downtown view of Sales Force Tower in San Francisco
Nathan Nies at the Thanksgiving Coffee station sharing our delicious coffee and story with our fellow B Corp community.
The Mendocino Music Festival!
We have been serving coffee as a sponsor of the Music Festival since it's humble beginnings in 1986.
Festival Orchestra 1, with soloists Jessica Fellowes and Katie Kadarauch
View from the Festival Tent
Lavender Grace enjoying a cup of coffee at the Festival
Coffee brings people together. We are happy to support our community to learn and grow and celebrate one another with great coffee.
Stay tuned to all our Coffee Adventures
July Events 2023
read more
We Were There!
Participants of the Salmon BBQ in the beautiful Noyo Harbor, CA
The World’s Largest Salmon BBQ happened on 7/1, and again – Thanksgiving Coffee was there! This event brings together thousands of salmon lovers to raise money for salmon habitat restoration. The salmon fishery in California was closed this year – completely – in order to let the salmon population rebound, so everything that we can do to support increased spawning grounds will help the salmon, our local economy, and the entire ecosystem.
Thanksgiving Coffee Booth at the Salmon BBQ with CEO, Jonah Katzeff (on right ) out front.
Our booth provided hot coffee (Mocha Java and Royal Decaf) and cold brew (Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Natural from the Gedeb region) in exchange for any donation to Salmon Restoration. We raised nearly $500 from donations alone. Our Office Manager, Jennifer, CEO Jonah, and co-founders Paul and Joan were on hand with Sales and Marketing Manager, Joe, to keep the coffee flowing for 8 hours.
Jennifer Brown at Thanksgiving Coffee Booth at the Salmon BBQ
All we can do to support increased spawning grounds will help the salmon,
our local economy, and the entire ecosystem.
We were not alone in this effort: fellow B Corps including North Coast Brewing Company and Harvest Market were on hand to donate, raise additional funds, and support the cause. The menu usually includes corn on the cob, but corn was in short supply this year, so Harvest Market was able to source organic new potatoes to supplant the menu.
Jennifer Bosma on right, representing both Harvest Market and Rotary
North Coast Brewing Company's CEO, Jennifer Owen, along with senior brewing staff serving a thirsty crowd at the World's Largest Salmon BBQ
Dozens of volunteers helped pull this event together and make it run smoothly including Rotary International (with participation from both Fort Bragg and Mendocino chapters), California Conservation Corp., Mendocino Sheriff’s Department, Salmon Restoration Association, and the celebrity grill team including lots of local dignitaries including Fort Bragg’s Mayor, several County Commissioners, local business owners, and many, many more.
Volunteers Serving up the food with smiles
"West of Nowhere" playing at the Salmon BBQ
The event had a lively festival atmosphere with great weather, great vibes and lots of live music including West of Nowhere (pictured), Steven Bates Band, the Caspar Kings, Earl Oliver, and Deep Pockets who started the day off with some very danceable grooves. One of the highlights is the annual release of the supporting shirt… this year’s shirt slogan, “If you must smoke – smoke salmon.”
Follow Stories of Restoration and More All Fueled by Coffee
The World’s Largest Salmon BBQ
read more
We Offered a Thriving Palace of Fine Coffee
Back from hiatus, the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival returned, and Thanksgiving Coffee Company was there. Inside the field that is sometimes used for high school sports, rodeo, sheepdog trials, and beer festivals, we constructed a working coffee house and served well over two thousand drinks.
Espresso, lattes, cold brew and many other delights kept the energy of the crowd right where it wanted to be. 75 lbs. of various coffees transformed an empty field into a thriving palace of fine coffee.
The Waiting Room/ Cafe Beaujolais's Chef Julian Lopez behind the Espresso Booth at the SNWMF
The booth came from TCC, but Chef Julian from the Waiting Room/Café Beaujolais brought his staff to operate it with great style and delicious offerings.
“It was Spaz-iale!”
The weather cooperated – never too hot, or too windy - but allowed all to enjoy three days of Peace, Love and Music. Thanks to Ksenia, Shelly and the whole crew at SNWMF for making it a wonderful experience all around.
As the SNWMF social media post said… “It was Spaz-iale!”
Photo by Hanane Korchi for SNWMF
Follow our Stories and Coffee Adventures