Land Acknowledgment: Honoring the Roots of Sonoma Forest Sanctuary and Teravana
At Sonoma Forest Sanctuary, we stand on land with a history that stretches far beyond the reach of modern civilization. This sacred land, deeply embedded in the Northern California ecosystem, was once home to the Kishaya Pomo Native Americans. We hold deep respect for their generations-long stewardship of the land in Cazadero and its surroundings, and we acknowledge the historical injustices they endured, including their displacement from these ancestral lands.
In alignment with the beliefs of the Kishaya Pomo people, the owner of Sonoma Forest Sanctuary began a non-profit organization called Teravana a few years ago. Teravana aims to embrace the understanding of the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world. We share the conviction that there is no true separation between people and the environment; we are one with the earth, originating from it and ultimately returning to it. This belief is woven into the very fabric of our practices guiding us as we care for this land and the community it supports.
Sonoma Forest Sanctuary serves as both a wedding venue and a retreat center, while Teravana, our nonprofit, actively provides food and vegetables grown on the land to the Cazadero community. Teravana operates at the intersection of wellness, ecology, and art, offering programs that nurture the lands, waters, and hearts of all inhabitants and visitors. Guided by the wisdom of the wilderness, we work to develop the inner capacities of humans through mindful ecological restoration and artistic expression, creating symbiotic relationships with nature.
The land at Sonoma Forest Sanctuary/Teravana holds a profound and healing energy, one that reverberates not just within our sanctuary but throughout the Russian River Valley. It is felt in the towering trees, the ancient rocks, and the wise grandmother oak that watches over us from the ridge. This energy connects us to the past and serves as a reminder of our responsibility to honor the Kashaya Pomo community, who now reside on a reservation near Fort Greene. We actively engage with their elders, having meaningful conversations that honor the shared spirit of this land and the wisdom it holds.
Together, we strive to create a space where the past is respected, the present is nurtured, and the future is cultivated in harmony with the Earth.
To learn more about Teravana and our work, click here.