MENDOCINO CO., 9/18/25 – What began as one woman’s vision has grown into a success: Around a campfire at Jug Handle Creek Nature Center, Indigenous storytellers share their culture and history with the community.
At the next meeting, on Sept. 28, guests will meet the man who inspired it all, Eric Wilder of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians.
Sue Coulter, director of nature education at Jug Handle, got the idea for the series last fall. She was at the annual Native Arts Expo at the Mendocino Art Center in Mendocino when she heard Wilder preparing to tell what he called “the huckleberry story.” She also realized at that moment that she was running late for work.
“My little kid self wanted to stay and listen, but I had to get off to work. I was just so pulled about staying and listening and being late for work – and then I started thinking, it would be really fun to have this around a campfire,” Coulter said.
That moment stayed with her, and she began thinking about a way to create a space where Native American storytellers could be paid to share their stories around a fire, where people could gather and learn as a community.
Coulter reached out to Xa Kako Dile, an Indigenous women-led nonprofit in Caspar adjacent to Jug Handle, to collaborate and find funding. The nonprofit, which is located on land owned by Fortunate Farm, focuses on preserving traditional ecological knowledge, healing ancestral lands, and strengthening Indigenous communities through culture, food, and education, according to its website.
U’ilani Wesley, one of the founders of Xa Kako Dile, had been part of the Native Arts Expo the day Coulter got her inspiration, and she agreed to collaborate on the project. Together, they shaped the series, now called Sacred Flame: Indigenous Fireside Storytelling, and were awarded a Community Enrichment Grant through the Community Foundation of Mendocino County. Wilder’s wife, Karen, designed the flyer for the series, ensuring the art was created by an Indigenous artist – something that was important to Coulter. The Wilders’ also came up with the name Sacred Flame.
The storytelling series also receives support from local businesses, including Goodlife Cafe & Bakery, Harvest Market, Mendocino Tea Company and Thanksgiving Coffee. Coulter said the gatherings have drawn crowds of all ages, from children as young as 5 to elders over 70, with attendance growing from about 60 at the first event to 75 or 80 at the most recent.
The storytellers so far have included Sal Martinez, a citizen of the Manchester Band of Pomo Indians; Edwina Lincoln from the Round Valley Indian Reservation, and Lori Laiwa Thomas, a member of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians and an ethnic studies instructor at Mendocino College. Eric Wilder will be the next storyteller, bringing both his knowledge of tribal history and interactive stories that include songs and audience participation.
Wilder, who lives in Point Arena, served as former chairman of his tribe and worked in video game design as an animator, illustrator, and concept artist. He worked on titles including “Star Wars: Phantom Menace” and “Celebrity Death Match” before returning to cultural work with his tribe, helping preserve language and traditions. He said storytelling is important because it preserves history, especially since his tribe didn’t have a written language and relied on stories to pass knowledge down through generations.
“My uncle says he doesn’t like calling them stories. He says when you call them stories, people tend to think they’re made up. These are really historical events, and it’s that way with a lot of tribes,” Wilder said.
One of the stories Wilder shares, the huckleberry story that inspired Coulter, explains how humans, plants, and animals came to an agreement with the creator. Humans were taking from the land without giving back, so the plants and animals demanded respect. The huckleberry set rules for harvesting and ceremonies to honor nature. The bear, leader of the animals, negotiated to share the berries safely with humans, and the bear’s song is now part of the ceremonies. These traditions continue today in seasonal dances, songs, and gatherings, said Wilder.
For Wilder, sharing these stories is also personal. He said he wants to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and give people a deeper understanding of the Mendocino Coast’s history before colonization.
“People see history like it started when all the timber harvesting happened around here, but there’s so much more history to the place that people who live in this area don’t know. I want to bridge that gap between our communities and make the history of where people live, here, now, more rich,” Wilder said.
Coulter said the series also provides a rare opportunity for people to step away from screens, gather outdoors and experience community.
“Being around a fire, listening to these stories, creates meaningful moments,” she said. Her hope is that attendees leave with a deeper awareness of Indigenous culture and the natural world, as well as a sense of shared community.
The series runs monthly, with breaks in November and December for the holidays, and is funded through April 2026. Coulter said she hopes there will be enough interest for the series to continue beyond that time.
Attendees at the next event can expect more songs, stories, and interactive experiences beside the warmth of a fire under the night sky.
The next installment of Sacred Flame: An Indigenous Fireside Storytelling Series takes place Sept. 28 from 7-8 p.m. at Jughandle Creek Farm & Nature Center, 15501 N. Highway 1, Caspar. The event is free, with a $5 donation requested. More information is available at https://www.jughandlecreekfarm.org/upcoming-events-1.