Northern Pomo language preserved through bilingual audiobooks at Mendocino Library - Local News Matters

The Mendocino County Library has announced the launch of bilingual audiobooks in English and Northern Pomo, written and recorded by Buffie Campbell-Schmidt, a tribal citizen of the Sherwood Valley Rancheria. This effort aims to revitalize the Northern Pomo language, which has seen a significant decline, with the last native-born speaker passing away in 2005. Campbell-Schmidt’s audiobooks explore important cultural themes, such as sacred regalia, animal descriptions, and traditional food practices, ensuring that this heritage is preserved for future generations. The audiobooks are available for free on SoundCloud, and hard copies can be borrowed at all library branches without requiring a library card. In addition to her writing, Campbell-Schmidt teaches Northern Pomo classes at Ukiah High School, where her first cohort of graduates completed the program last year.

American anthropologist Alfred Kroeber estimated that prior to colonization, between 1,000 and 1,500 people spoke Northern Pomo. The Foundation for Endangered Languages highlights the critical need for such initiatives to document and promote endangered languages. This project not only enriches the cultural landscape but also provides valuable resources for linguaphiles and the Pomo community alike.