Sono-ma

What is Beauty Good For?

DeAnna L'am — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:56:08 +0000

Indigenous cultures around the world are renowned for their beautiful artifacts and ornaments. While both women and men in ancient cultures created functional vessels and tools, such as baskets, ropes, pots, bows and arrows, storage containers or hunting aids, it is women who created objects for beauty alone. What is beauty good for? You can't eat it, you can't use it for any serviceable purpose, it doesn't help in achieving anything. It exists for one purpose alone: itself. And women are the ones responsible, historically, for bringing it forth. Was it the resting times in the Moon Lodges and Red Tents that gave rise to creativity for its own sake? Was it the need to delve inward that inspired women to create beauty? Was it the birthing effect that the creation process provided? Or the soothing effect that was felt by gazing at the final product? While resting and renewing in Menstrual Huts women accessed inner landscapes, dreamed prophecies, and delved into inner well springs. Could these times be the origins of art? Could it be that women started creating in order to give form to their inner visions? Fashioning mirror-images to the beauty revealed to them in their depth? Expressing gratitude and joy rather than creating functional objects? Perhaps women were imitating their own birthing experience: conception, gestation, and birthing new beautiful beings that never existed before. Beauty is what a birthing Mama invariably sees when she first gazes unto her newborn baby's face. Could art have been the natural progression for birthing women? Conceiving an idea in their mind or in their dream world, carrying it in their hearts, nurturing it with their hands, and bringing it to life with one final stroke of their fingers, covered in natural pigments? As many things in “modern” cultures -- beauty back-fired! It became a commodity in all current cultures around the industrialized, commercialized, corporate world. Beauty is used for anything but itself. It is used to sell products, to create cravings (that sell products), and ultimately to objectify women as artifacts to be consumed or used. In a world where everything has to be “good for something” beauty for its own sake is a rarity. Lets return to 'good for nothing' beauty! Let's remember that as women we originated a revolution in human evolution by making art for its own sake! Beauty and art were the domain of women who created ornaments and jewelry, or painted patterns on functional vessels to beautify them. As the keepers of dreams they knew that beauty is not moving us forward, but rather inward, and it is in moving inward that we are propelled to move forward!

DeAnna L’am, (B.A.) speaker, coach, and trainer, is author of ‘Becoming Peers – Mentoring Girls Into Womanhood’ and ‘A Diva’s guide to Getting Your Period’. She is founder of Red Moon School of Empowerment for Women & Girls™ and of Red Tents In Every Neighborhood – Global Network. Her pioneering work has been transforming women’s & girls’ lives around the world, for over 20 years.

DeAnna helps women & girls love themselves unconditionally! She specializes in helping women make peace with their cycle; Instructs Moms in the art of welcoming girls to empowered womanhood, and trains women to hold RED TENTS in their communities. Visit her at: www.deannalam.com

Sono-Ma’s 2013 Summer Camp Round Up for Kids Age Preschool – High School

Holly White-Wolfe — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:40:06 +0000

Are you searching for summer camp experiences designed to deeply engage your child? Consider enrolling your child in camps with opportunities for nature based-play, and watch them blossom. Read on to learn about three local camps with a few spaces left to enroll your preschooler - high school age child. Marigold Playgarden Waldorf Summer Camp at Marigold Playgarden. Come join us in the heart of Sebastopol for summertime fun! For children aged 3 1/2 - 7 years old. Each week we offer a nature craft, such as: wool felting, herbal creations, dyeing, beeswax candle making, cooking jam or sorbet with summer fruits. The children enjoy time for imaginative play, storytelling, caring for the bunny, berry picking and outdoor play in our shady yard, as well as, occasional walks to Ragle Park. Organic snacks and drinks are provided, children bring a simple lunch. Monday - Thursday, 9am-1pm, 6 sessions to choose from - running June 24 - Aug 15 (closed the 2nd and 3rd weeks of July), $160 per session, some sliding scale spaces may be available. Led by an experienced Waldorf kindergarten teacher. Please contact Jennifer Bowen for availability - (707)824-9127, or jennybee@sonic.net or download your registration form here. Coyote Camp We invite you to share a space in our circle as we embark upon a creative adventure that provides opportunities for experiential nature education. Our wise and playful coyote mentors cultivate a supportive and nurturing environment for children to learn, create, and grow. As we spend our days exploring Ocean Song, a diverse ecosystem situated amidst the magical coastal highlands of west Sonoma County, we engage in such activities as-- wilderness exploration, swimming, tracking, nature games, creative arts, herbal knowledge, singing and storytelling, bird language, community building. Sponsored by Earthways Foundation and Ocean Song Farm and Wilderness Center, Coyote Camp is a continuing legacy which was founded with the intention of helping to awaken and inspire the wild hearts and dreams of children and to cultivate a deeper sense of respect, awareness, and appreciation for the earth and all of our relations. This summer Coyote Camp runs from July 1st-26th from 9-4 pm Mon-Fri. The camp is for children ages 5-12 years old. Scholarship funds are available. For more information and to register, please visit our website at www.oceansong.org or contact Annie Klein, Coyote Camp Director, at (707) 318-6948. We hope to see you at Coyote Camp this summer! Teen Camp The Teen Camp at Ocean Song is a dynamic program of nature-based mentoring, dialogue, and practicing earth-based skills. There will be full days of activities and a three-day, two-night overnight with a one night backpacking trip. The first days will focus on trust and the youth will participate in a full day on the Four Winds Ropes Course. Teens will learn nature-based skills like food foraging, tracking, indigenous pottery techniques, and more. Other activities include swimming in the pond and wilderness exploration. The final backpacking trip will focus on teaching basic wilderness preparation and building a sense of confidence in a wilderness setting. There will be a series of organized challenges during the trip that the group will have to overcome as a collective. At the end of the final challenge there will be a small celebration to congratulate the youth for working together and moving one step closer to becoming an initiated adult. WHO: Youth ages 13-15 years old WHEN: July 29^th-August 2^nd Monday and Tuesday, 9-4 pm Wednesday 9 am – Friday 4 pm COST: $425-$495 (sliding scale) REGISTER: Contact Lisa Baiter, Camp Coordinator, at lbaiter@yahoo.com PROGRAM INFO: Contact Coby Leibman, Teen Camp Director, at cobyleibman@yahoo.com GO TO: www.oceansong.org (Note: Marigold Playgarden and Oceansong are current sponsors of Sono-Ma.com.)

Waldorf Kindergarten Preparing for Mother’s Day

Holly White-Wolfe — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:08:20 +0000

"The picture of mother's day in a Waldorf Kindergarten is precious," says teacher Sarah Whitmore. "The children are eager to celebrate mom." Sarah goes on to share that there are many "tender friends" in the classroom in the month of May. They feel the approaching transition that comes with the end of the school year. Some of the second year kindergarten students seem to intuitively feel the approaching end of their early childhood experience. "I see these children suddenly clinging to their mothers and struggling to say goodbye," explains Sarah as she notices the children's behaviors regressing to patterns more abundant in September. "It's easy to shift the mood to cherishing mothers," she adds suggesting they are stronger now that it is May. And cherish they do! With cards featuring abundant bouquets of colorful flowers...and with projects. "We couldn't do just one project. We couldn't help ourselves!" exclaims Sarah allowing me just a peak at the growing pile of gifts.

My kindergarten boy assures me he's got something with a "crinkle and a crunkle" to surprise me with. I wonder what could be under that rosy paper?

Sarah also took the time to illicit content from each child for their mother's card. "I get them ready by asking them to share what they love about their mothers at circle time or meal time. When I sit down with the boys, I also do a bit more work to evoke an answer. I'll ask what their moms are best at. They'll say, 'She's really fast!' or share something they are good at themselves. Then when they are feeling more comfortable I'll ask what their moms do that they like best. Often times the answer is a meal mom makes or snuggle time in bed. Other times, I'll ask, 'When is your mommy most beautiful?' I'll hear responses featuring favorite outfits or comparisons to Queens."

While the class is buzzing with gift making, the work of kindergarten also continues. Now nine months into the school year, the children are apt helpers preparing meals and cleaning the classroom. Below, Miss Fawn readies chopping boards and vegetables for lunch time soup. Soon children will arrive to school, wander in to the classroom, and make their way to the table to help. No need for Miss Fawn to recruit help - they will come to her eagerly.

Miss Sarah will also keep the kids busy with the "work" of making an art project for the school's annual fundraiser, Farm to Feast. Here you see her holding a felted picture of a meadow full of flowers. Each child contributed a blossom to the wet felt painting. Many children took turns rubbing the wool with soap and water. Creating and giving, they embody the spirit of mothering in much of what they do.

I am in awe over the joyful experience of stepping into this Waldorf Kindergarten. I look forward to Sunday and reveling in the gifts my son brings, and in reflecting on the gift of us kindergarten days.

Moms Make Today Your Grocery Day and Enjoy Mom-O-Rama at Whole Foods Market Coddingtown

Guest Author — Thu, 09 May 2013 03:00:07 +0000

Soap Cauldron will be teaming up this Thursday, May 9^th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with Whole Foods Market – Coddingtown and Sono-Ma for Mom-O-Rama, a day of sampling with a luxury bar soap gift set giveaway (retail value $100). Soap Cauldron will be honoring Moms everywhere alongside Simpler’s and Sensuous Beauty. All three companies will be participating in this in-store event to celebrate MOM. To sample and experience truly natural products, stop by and check out these great companies. Remember to pick up your sample at the Soap Cauldron table where my daughter/partner and I will be on hand to meet and talk about all things soap.

Mention Sono-ma when you visit us in store to receive an extra treat. See you there!

Celebrating Motherhood with Reflections on a Mother-Daughter Enterprise

Guest Author — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:32:44 +0000

Sunday May 12th is Mother’s Day. For us at Soap Cauldron® every day is mom’s day. 17 years ago, before my soap partner was born, I thought that my accomplishments defined me. I served in 1991 as a civilian reservist officer in a war zone before women were officially permitted. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college and I chose not to be a statistic growing up Hispanic in East Los Angeles. All of these events for me were significant but they paled against the undertaking of being a mother.

My daughter did not come into this world easily, and just one short week before Mother’s day this delicate preemie was born, wrong side up and way too early. She was my very first Mother’s day gift, and a gift that stretches and strengthens me daily. To nurture and love another human being unconditionally has been the single greatest accomplishment of my life. In those early days there is always adjustment, clothes riddled with spit-up or snot, too few showers squeezed in around baby time and endless sleepless nights from colic, but those are mere moments in the entire experience. To be a mom is without question the greatest honor there is. In this effort I have had the opportunity to truly foster personal selflessness and give to another who will one day enter the world and make it a better place. I am truly proud of the person my daughter is and that she is still becoming. It is clear for me that this child was the perfect choice to work alongside me to make Soap Cauldron and our brand of bar soap Three Sisters Apothecary®, a reality. This artistic and musical being weighs in on every scent profile, ingredient selection, design and packaging concept. She prepares packaging, blends bath salts and tirelessly tests samples from each and every body butter production run. We started offering the world our soap as an official company one year ago this month and as such it seems fitting that Mother’s Day is our designated anniversary. Soap Cauldron truly is a mother/daughter enterprise and I could not have a better partner. Experience our Products Soap Cauldron will be teaming up this Thursday, May 9^th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with Whole Foods Market – Coddingtown and Sono-Ma for Mom-O-Rama, a day of sampling with a luxury bar soap gift set giveaway (retail value $100). Soap Cauldron will be honoring Moms everywhere alongside Simpler’s and Sensuous Beauty. All three companies will be participating in this in-store event to celebrate MOM. To sample and experience truly natural products, stop by and check out these great companies. Remember to pick up your sample at the Soap Cauldron table where my partner and I will be on hand to meet and talk about all things soap. Mention Sono-ma when you visit us in store to receive an extra treat. Enter to Win Sono-Ma and Soap Cauldron offer a special gift for one lucky reader. Would you like to win a gift set? We’ll craft a decadent basket for you, similar to the one shown here only even larger, valued at $100 retail. We’ll randomly select one winner on May 9th at 5:00 pm. Winner can arrange for local pick up. Simply leave a comment now to enter the contest. Tell us that you shared the love on Facebook by liking the Sono-Ma page, Soap Cauldron page, or Whole Foods Market Coddingtown page, and we’ll give you an extra entry for each page you liked.

Give Away! A Luxurious, Soothing Soap and Sundries Set From One Mom to Another

Guest Author — Sat, 04 May 2013 13:43:10 +0000

Mother's Day is just days away, and we think you deserve a luxurious treat. Do you long for a soothing escape like a long soak in the tub with therapeutic lavender bath salts? Do you desire a bit of pampering and indulging such as nourishing your skin with a creamy, rich, intensely moisturizing body butter? Yes, these are just the kind of gifts any mom would love. Soap Cauldron, a mom and daughter owned Sonoma County local artisan soap company, offers products that nurture moms. Discover how you experience Soap Cauldron today, with a Sono-Ma Give Away and a Whole Foods Coddingtown Mom-O-Rama on May 9th. Artisan Bar Soaps and Sundries Soap Cauldron's Three Sisters Apothecary line features products which are handmade. Crafted in small batches with only natural botanicals, pure essential oils, plant oils, and luxurious gourmet butters to nourish and support skin on a daily basis. Try our entire line of body care that includes: bar soaps, bath salt soaks, body butters, soothing salves and lip balms to keep skin soft and hydrated. Our handcrafted bar soaps are made in the time honored tradition of the first soap guilds of 7th century Europe. From the early recipes coveted by these guilds, these beneficial ingredients nourish and support skin on a daily basis. Experience our Products

Soap Cauldron will be teaming up this Thursday, May 9^th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with Whole Foods Market - Coddingtown and Sono-Ma for Mom-O-Rama, a day of sampling with a luxury bar soap gift set giveaway (retail value $100). Soap Cauldron will be honoring Moms everywhere alongside Simpler’s and Sensuous Beauty. All three companies will be participating in this in-store event to celebrate MOM. To sample and experience truly natural products, stop by and check out these great companies. Remember to pick up your sample at the Soap Cauldron table where my partner and I will be on hand to meet and talk about all things soap. Mention Sono-ma when you visit us in store to receive an extra treat. Enter to Win Sono-Ma and Soap Cauldron offer a special gift for one lucky reader. Would you like to win a gift set? We'll craft a decadent basket for you, similar to those shown here only even larger, valued at $100 retail. We’ll randomly select one winner on May 9th at 5:00 pm. Winner can arrange for local pick up. Simply leave a comment now to enter the contest. Tell us that you shared the love on Facebook by liking the Sono-Ma page, Soap Cauldron page, or Whole Foods Market Coddingtown page, and we'll give you an extra entry for each page you liked.

(Note: Soap Cauldron is a current advertiser/sponsor of the Sono-Ma.com site.)

Sunday May 5, 2013 Green Flea Market and A Glimpse Into Eighth Grade at Summerfield Waldorf School

Guest Author — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:26:07 +0000

To highlight their incredible journey together, Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm Class 8 is planning a 5-day marine science adventure to Santa Catalina Island, and plans to host a community service event and fundraiser titled, “Oceans Awareness Celebration and Green Flea Market” on Sunday, May 5, from 9am to 3pm to pay for their trip (approximately $10,000 is still needed) to Santa Catalina Island. Students are looking forward to the opportunity to kayak, snorkel, swim and perhaps see flying fish, dolphins, seals, whales and bald eagles—as well as engage with marine scientists, gain first hand knowledge of the beauty, wonder and dramatic issues facing oceans and marine habitats, and give back to this very special place by assisting the Catalina Island Conservancy in an ecological service project.

Waldorf classes take an experiential field trip each year to enhance learning and bring certain aspects of the curriculum to life. Class 8 students, as a rite and symbol of their graduation readiness and unique class spirit, produce the 8th grade field trip, including raising all the necessary funds. In a very real way, the class 8 trip is an expression of the student’s growing as individuals—their need to step away from the familiar, take on personal challenges, and make a difference in the world. For Mr. Basmajian’s Class 8, this culmination trip will be especially bittersweet. Though some of the students joined only a year or two ago, the majority have been together 35+ hours per week, week after week … for six, seven, eight, nine, ten … some for eleven, and a few (starting in pre-school) for over twelve years. These students have experienced academic and athletic successes, weathered disappointments, heartaches and small-minded rivalries, laughed until milk shot from their noses, worked blistering hard on the farm, staged plays, squeaked through concerts, crafted things of exquisite beauty, and died of embarrassment learning to dance the waltz!

What’s true about our American society is that the technical advancements that make this modern age so miraculous also make our lives more isolating and relationships transient. However, this is not the situation for Waldorf students. They are given the opportunity and time to develop their emotional intelligence and practice community building. These attributes and concepts are not so easy to describe. Fortunately, an example of Waldorf students in action, working as a tried-and-true team, collaborating and community building can be seen at the upcoming “Oceans Awareness Celebration and Green Flea Market,” which will feature prominent speakers, amazing music, and thoughtful ocean themed displays and activities. Plus, Class 8 will be recycling and re-selling gently used treasures, household items, Waldorf toys, farm and garden tools, clothing, and sports equipment, as well as wholesome lunches, beverages and tasty treats. For people new Waldorf education, the “Oceans Awareness Celebration & Green Flea Market” is an opportunity to see it working through its students. And for those of us along for the ride, sharing the journey or involved in the long-haul—it is our privilege to stand-back and watch these amazing kids meet this fundraising challenge, and our responsibility to roll-up our sleeves to ensure they are properly and safely launched on a trip that is their time and place to acknowledge this class of 29 students is coming to a close in order for them to take their place within the greater community.

SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2013, 9AM TO 3PM “OCEANS AWARENESS CELEBRATION & GREEN FLEA MARKET” Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm 655 Willowside Road, Santa Rosa, CA • 707-575-7194

by Sandra Lee Sheffield, Eighth Grade Parent

Bringing May Day Home With Waldorf-Inspired Shop Circle of Hands

Guest Author — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:00:52 +0000

May is a time for trees and flowers blooming, grasses tickling (and sometimes irritating!) our noses, and an opportunity for kicking up our heels. At school, children can be seen turning somersaults in the grass; parents are again able to congregate and chat comfortably out of doors. Nature beckons us to be physically active after a long cramped winter inside. We dig in the soil of our gardens, delight in baby farm animals, take long walks, and discover fresh strawberries and lettuces at road-side stands. The earth seems to be bursting with enthusiasm to reacquaint itself with us again. May Day is like a joyous reunion between humanity and nature! Costumes & Customs for May Day Encircling our heads with flower garlands is one way of honoring May’s blessings. You can braid a circle to fit your and your child’s head out of raffia strands or soaked willow branches, then weave in small blossoms and greenery as decoration. A few thin pastel-colored ribbons, tied on, look nice hanging down the back. Circle of Hands also sells hand-made cotton flower head-garlands, an upcycled design of artisan Tania Prosser.

Another fun celebratory activity is holding wands with flower tips and streamers that float on the spring breeze, as is kite-flying. Circle of Hands sells kite paper in all colors, as well as beautiful streamers and wands of silk, made by Sarah’s Silks, or felted wool & ribbon made by Kelly and Kai. One can also craft one’s own simple streamers from sticks tied with colorful flowing ribbons. Perhaps the most significant tradition is the Maypole, around which dancers circle with ribbons, and this custom is charmingly practiced by students in Waldorf schools around the world.

May Day Craft

A fun May craft is as follows: Take an empty soup can and cover it with paper you have water-color painted with a pastel wash. Insert a floral foam piece or even just crushed paper or sand. Push a 12” natural stick into the middle. On the top of the stick, hot-glue a small paper or silk flower, also securing several thin ribbons under it. Then, at the top of the can, circling around the bottom of the tiny “maypole”, push in lots of little roses or tiny flowers.

It’s a very sweet gift to put on an elderly neighbor’s front step, then ring the bell and run away!

Origins of May Day Though we celebrate spring on May 1, this date could also be called the beginning of summer. "May Day was a traditional summer holiday in many pre-Christian European pagan cultures. While February 1 was once recognized as the first day of spring, May 1 was the first day of summer, and summer solstice (now June 21) was considered Midsummer. Traditional British May Day rites and celebrations include Morris dancing, the crowning of a May Queen with Jack-o-the-Green as her consort, and celebrations involving a Maypole. Much of this tradition derives from the pagan Anglo-Saxon and Celtic customs. May Day celebrations spans centuries. Towns and villages celebrated springtime fertility (of the soil, livestock, and people) with great revelry and community gatherings. Farm seeding was completed by this date, and many farm laborers enjoyed a day off." (via wikipedia) by Leslie Young This story is offered by Leslie Young, Sonoma County mother and longtime member of the Waldorf community. Leslie is the proud owner of Circle of Hands, a shop for families looking for a local, Waldorf-inspired shopping experience. Photo credit for the first three photos goes to Emma Mann, marketing consultant and owner of Soap Cauldron.

Family Guide to Exploring Northern California Updated and Ready for Your Weekend Reading

Guest Author — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:02:15 +0000

Last summer, I picked up Michele Bigley's latest family travel guide, and hit the scenic byways of California. Our family crafted a trip to the Lassen National Forest, and spent an incredible week exploring caves, lakes, waterfalls, and expanses of wildflower fields. Thanks to Michele's insightful tips, our family enjoyed parks, restaurants, and activities we might otherwise have missed. I can't wait to flip through the second edition of Northern California: An Explorer’s Guide. I am sure we'll find more inspiration for family road trips and mini-escapes. Read on to find out how this mother and travel writer crafted this fun guide, and then hurry out to grab your own copy of this summertime-must-read book. Adventures in Writing a Family Travel Guide by Michele Bigley Wanting my kids to be seasoned travelers is just one of the reasons I became a travel writer. My oldest son, Kai, takes to the road with ease. At 5, he has stayed in more hotel rooms than most adults I know. He has an enviable collection of passport stamps to boot. Still, at 20 months, my younger son, Nikko, is learning about life on the road. So when my publisher asked if I would update Northern California: An Explorer’s Guide, an encyclopedic guidebook covering Big Sur to Mammoth, all the way up to the Oregon border, I have to admit, I wasn’t sure if he—or should I say we—could handle it. He was a mere year old when I started researching the book. Taking to the road on weekends, we embarked on epic driving trips - exploring everything from antique shops to zoos. Like most toddlers, he had his days when staying at a hotel was not his ideal. Like many moms, I had my moments when I could not bear another on the road meal. Imagine me chasing him as he crawled between the legs of our server. But for the most part, the kids responded with the same glee that they carry with them on our neighborhood streets in San Francisco. Somehow, I managed to research and write an almost 700 page guidebook. Our highlights included: swimming in alpine lakes, dining at farm to table restaurants in Santa Cruz, sledding in Yosemite, and much more.

Together we created a guide book filled with kid-tested trips that offer fun for the whole family. Northern California: An Explorer’s Guide’s second edition takes you places the other guides don’t know about. Discover our family’s favorite Nor Cal spots between Big Sur and Mammoth, all the way up to the Oregon border. The book is divided into chapters directing families to specific destinations offering unique and new adventures. Take to the road and explore the "other" Northern California. Our trips reveal its rugged beauty and small-town ambiance. Grab the Book If you’d like to pickup your own copy of the book, you can order a copy today via Amazon or in by contacting our local bookstores. More About Michele Bigley Michele Bigley is the author of five guidebooks, including the Explorer’s Guide to Northern California, first edition, Explorer’s Guide Kauai, Backroads & Byways of Northern California and the upcoming Backroads & Byways of Hawaii. Michele contributes to Fodor’s San Francisco and California. Her work has appeared on CNN (watch a video about Hawaii here), Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Islands and more. Michele also writes the smartphone and tablet apps San Francisco Families and Napa and Sonoma With Kids, which you can explore via an earlier Sono-Ma feature here: Just in time for summer – easy, family friendly travel in Sonoma, Napa, and San Francisco. Michele carves out time to write and travel while parenting two very fun boys. Visit her website www.michelebigley.com. Have your own family travel tips to share? Or a wonderful memory of a Northern California excursion? Please share it now!

Supporting Breastfeeding – Native Breastfeeding Council Takes Message from Sonoma County to Nation

Holly White-Wolfe — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:09:30 +0000

Earlier this year, I read these unsettling headlines, "Lansinoh Study Reveals Nearly Half of U.S. Moms Uncomfortable Breastfeeding in Public." According to the study, while "79 percent of moms know breastfeeding is the best choice for a healthy baby, 40 percent of moms list their greatest concern as breastfeeding in public." These numbers lit my fire and cemented my plans to continue to raise the Sono-Ma Support Tent for another festival season. I am honored to give mothers a comfortable space to breastfeed, sip some water, and enjoy a bit of shade - meager offerings compared to the liquid gold moms give their babies when they are able to nurse.

Many moms are moved to exclaim gratitude for the public support Sono-Ma and festival organizers demonstrate by providing a visible community space supporting breastfeeding. Still, I'd like to do more to give moms a resounding message that they are supported, valued, and revered for their commitment. But I alone can't change a number like 40 percent of moms feeling uncomfortable. Fortunately, there is another incredibly passionate group raising their own breastfeeding tent. In fact, the Native Breastfeeding Council (NBC) of Sonoma County is leading many efforts to normalize, celebrate, and honor those that choose to breastfeed. Read on to hear how my friends in the NBC are supporting breastfeeding in Sonoma County and across the nation. From Observation to the Surgeon General Another survey and set of numbers lit the flame of passion for what would become the Native Breastfeeding Council. Sonoma County Indian Health's WIC (Women Infant and Children) program shared 3.8% (2007-2008) of American Indian mothers reported exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. This number was even lower than the national average of around 11% of American Indian mothers. Indian Health staff and a few moms began to question, what happened to the tradition of breastfeeding among Sonoma County natives? A small, devoted group came together to collect data, interview elders, and review health practices. They officially formed the Native Breastfeeding Council, and set forth with a mission of change. "Our Vision is a return to the tradition of breastfeeding for the emotional, spiritual and physical health of families and future generations," shared Council member Brooke Pino-Liggett at a recent "family fun fair" promoting breastfeeding. I marveled at Brooke and her colleagues as they engaged families in trivia games, booth activities, a skit and even songs about the benefits of breastfeeding - all of which was communicated with such clarity, positivity, and creativity that the audience never appeared uncomfortable. In fact, to hear Brooke's husband tell his story of learning to appreciate the gift of breastfeeding in a family, the community is truly buying in. The NBC group puts on the Family Fun Night event and several others throughout the year with an aim to normalize breastfeeding for the next generation, while supporting moms who are currently nursing. And it is working! The Native Breastfeeding Council reports Sonoma County American Indian moms who are breastfeeding exclusively at 6 months is on the rise! This tremendous success has caught the eye of health officials around the nation, who would like to replicate efforts in other native communities. In fact, members of the NBC even got to meet with the Surgeon General who issued a call to action to support breastfeeding. They've also been asked to lead two national webinars sharing their strategies. Mother-baby Friendly Workplace Award Here in California, NBC is also gaining recognition. Last year, Sono-Ma featured the NBC receiving a prestigious award from the State of California. The NBC & Sonoma County Indian Health Project (SCIHP) is one of six recipients of the Mother-baby friendly workplace state recognition award for companies that support breastfeeding in the workplace, employee training on those policies, a private place to breastfeed or pump and reasonable breaks for feeding or pumping. SCIHP is the first American Indian clinic to ever receive this award. Gathering of Nations Breastfeeding Booth

This week, three members of the Native Breastfeeding Council, are packing their tent, breastfeeding resources, and supplies to travel to the Gathering of Nations. Our Sonoma County group plans raising their own "support tent" for native moms representing tribes across the U.S. "By our second year, we had a line of moms waiting to use our space," shares Sherry Caldwell, NBC Chairperson. Now in their third year, the event organizers have awarded the group a prime booth space right up front in the festival. The ladies are paying their own travel costs as proof of their personal passion and commitment for wanting moms to feel comfortable and supported when they breastfeed in public. Sono-Ma is humbly giving the group a small financial sponsorship, but a huge rallying cheer! We need groups like the Native Breastfeeding Council to serve as our leaders and partners in delivering the message of the importance of breastfeeding. More Information Find out more about the Native Breastfeeding Council of Sonoma County Indian Health Project via their website at www.nativebreastfeeding.org. You can also contact: Sherry Caldwell, Chairperson Megan Buckley, Co-chair Native Breastfeeding Council Sonoma County Indian Health Project (SCIHP) 144 Stony Point Road Santa Rosa, CA 95419 707-521-4505