The following is a submitted obituary. The Mendocino Voice welcomes obituary submissions and publishes them free-of-charge for any North Coast resident or family. Contact us at info@mendovoice.com.
Priscilla Hunter, age 77, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 16, surrounded by her family and friends who sang her home. There have been four day and nights of spirit fire and ceremony, ending with her burial Thursday.
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 longtime 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 and Willow Zarco, sisters Nina Campbell, Tina Ramos, brother Tommy Ramos, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services for Priscilla took place this week and interment was at Ukiah Cemetery in Ukiah.
She was a great person i think she will be missed she did alot in her life time i so admired her Rip
I was in the New Careers program with Priscilla in the mid-70’s. She was a very special human being with a beautiful heart and a sharp mind. Much respect to her memory and to her family.
Sorry to hear this. Very dedicated to her people and culture
Prayers for her family.
I met Priscilla when her mama Delma Elye and Norma Knight felt called to travel to Chipas to support the “revolution” there. Priscilla and Polly just stepped up unconditionally to support their effirt. They organized the Pomo to Chili’s support Peace caravan. Indian to Indian peace caravan. As the movement gathered momentum and support they garnered help, donations and so much cross-cultural support! Taking clothes, medica supplies and computers they began the long car journey to Chipas. Many stops al9ng the way through California, Arizona then into Mexico. The successfully arrived on Chipas. We’re able to connect with Marcos. After many many incredible adventures. Polly n Priscilla stayed an extra 3 months. The one of many manu Human Rights, Rights of Nature movements in their lifelong commitment to making the world a better place for all sentient life. Ten years later I was invited in a cross-cultural 3xchange to Tixoan, south if Guadalajara. Ther met by Delegations of Human rights lawyers, oeofessirs, doctors, Healthcare workers and farmers. All indigenous from temwenty tribes in that region. That is when I found out that long ago Chiaosct3voukrion was successful! Mexic granting Human Rights to the indigenous peoples of Mexico! When I mentioned support of that long past actions was treated as a a heroine. The heart of the movement! Started with the unconditionally live and actions of two Pomo elders, Delma and Norma Kight with the unconditional support of their daughter and partner, Priscilla Hunter and Polly Gervin. A lufe well- lived. Her heart and living support of her life partner will echo forever through the cosmos. Travel well, dear friend.
Oops so sorry forgot sp check. Chipas, Tuxpan, Polly Girven, Chipas Revolution, professors, a life well- lived. Forever in our hearts 💕
I am so deeply sorry to hear of Priscilla’s passing. She was an amazing woman and leader. I was so honored to know her and to accompany her on the caravan to Chiapas. May her memory always be a blessing to all whose lives she touched, which were many.