UKIAH, CA., 11/17/25 – Mendocino College will host an evening of Native American storytelling on Thursday.
The annual event is a unique opportunity to witness traditional stories paired with contemporary graphic art and illustration.
This year’s program features Jocelyn Garcia, a member of the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, and Eric Wilder, a member of the Kashaya Band of Pomo Indians.
Garcia is a talented animator whose works explore her Native and Mexican American identity. Her award-winning thesis film “Tule,” about a modern Pomo girl and the cultural importance of the tule plant, has been screened at festivals worldwide.
Wilder is an artist, storyteller and cultural educator from Stewarts Point. A lifelong ceremonial practitioner and graphic artist, he shares traditional Kashaya knowledge and serves as president of the Gualala Arts Center, where he founded the Native Arts Expo.
Garcia and Wilder will not only share stories but discuss the role of storytelling in Native American culture and how digital media can help engage new audiences.
“Last year’s event featured tales of Bigfoot, ghost stories, Little People and other wintertime stories that delighted and intrigued our audience,” said Lori Laiwa Thomas, professor of ethnic and Native American studies at the college and an enrolled member of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians. “This year, we will highlight digital storytelling as a way to connect ancient oral traditions with modern technology, showcasing how traditional knowledge and creativity continue to thrive in new forms.”
The college hosts the annual event as part of its Native American Heritage Month celebrations.
Mendocino College’s second annual Native American storytelling event is free and takes place Thursday, Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the Little Theatre at Mendocino College, 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah. Visit https://www.mendocino.edu/events/native-american-storytelling for more information.