Strong Roots New Branches

Sonny, the tribal chairman for the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, shared his personal journey of growing up in a household affected by addiction, which shaped his early life experiences and relationships. Despite facing challenges including parental incarceration and family struggles with addiction, Sonny found support from his extended family and cultural connections while working to overcome his own addiction issues. Through his experiences, Sonny emphasized the importance of cultural preservation and community service, while advocating for young Native men to embrace change and take on leadership roles in their communities.