Honoring the Pomo
Lake Pomo Family Sculpture Expected to be Installed Late 2025
The Lake Pomo Family Sculpture is expected to be completed and installed at the Historic Courthouse Museum by December 2025, culminating collaboration between the County and local tribes to honor Pomo history and cultural heritage.
Commissioned to celebrate the native Pomo people’s endurance and resiliency, the sculpture celebrates the collaboration of museum staff and Tribal representatives to honor indigenous pride, past and present, through the installation of public art.
Initially approved by the Lake County Board of Supervisors on November 28, 2023, the Lake Pomo Family Sculpture project honors the culture of the local Pomo tribes. The statue will be installed on the grounds of the Historic Courthouse Museum in Lakeport and serve as both a symbolic monument and communal space. Following a competitive selection process, Rolf Ford Kriken of Nordhammer Art Foundry, based in Lake County, was chosen to lead the project, working alongside County Museum staff and representatives from seven Pomo tribes to ensure cultural accuracy and community alignment.
The sculpture’s concept was first approved in July 2018, and an artist was selected in 2020. Since then, Kriken collaborated with Tribal representatives and elders and museum staff to design a sculpture that respectfully depicts the experiences of Pomo families. The project represents nearly a decade of grassroots planning, fundraising and engagement led by community stakeholders committed to honoring Native voices and preserving local history through meaningful public art.
The Pomo people have lived in the area now known as the Xa-Batin Pomo as Lake County for countless generations, with deep cultural traditions, skilled basketry, and distinct languages closely tied to the land. This sculpture honors their enduring presence and invites the public to learn more about their lasting contributions to the region’s history and culture.
The Pomo people have lived in the region now known as Lake County since time immemorial, maintaining a deep connection to the land, water, and natural resources. Renowned for their intricate basketry and cultural knowledge, the Pomo have shaped the area’s history and traditions in lasting ways. This sculpture stands as a meaningful tribute to their enduring presence, celebrating the strength, creativity, and resilience of Pomo communities. It invites visitors to reflect on the importance of honoring Native histories and encourages a deeper appreciation of the cultural contributions that continue to enrich Lake County today. Their legacy lives on.
Both Lake County and the tribal community are excited to celebrate this ongoing era of recognition and history. Together, they honor and embrace the Pomo people’s enduring culture, resiliency, and contributions.