History and Culture
The Kashaya still live in their ancestral homelands near present day Fort Ross. Their name for themselves means "People From the Top of the Land," while "Kashaya" means "expert gamblers."
When Russians settled in Kashaya lands, they conscripted the tribe to work for them but did not break up the tribe or convert them to Christianity.
Essie Parrish (1902-1979) was an important Kashia Band basket weaver and a spiritual leader of the Kashia Tribe, she strove to sustain Pomo traditions throughout the 20th century. The current spiritual leader of the Kashaya Pomo is Lorin Smith, (1935- ). As a Kashaya Pomo elder and medicine man, Lorin has welcomed non-Indians to visit the round house and take part in the ceremonies.
Read more about this topic: Kashia Band Of Pomo Indians Of The Stewarts Point Rancheria
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