Eunice Bommelyn facts for kids
Eunice Bommelyn (born February 6, 1927 – died April 23, 2012) was a very important American Tolowa leader. She worked hard to protect her people's culture, language, and history.
Eunice Bommelyn was the last person who spoke the Tolowa language as her first language. She led efforts to teach the language to others and help it become strong again. She also found and wrote down the family history (called genealogy) of the Tolowa people, going all the way back to the 1790s. Her records are still used today to decide who belongs to the Smith River Rancheria. Eunice was also the mother of Loren Bommelyn, who is a ceremonial leader and a skilled basket weaver.
Eunice Bommelyn's Early Life
Eunice Henry was born on February 6, 1927. Her birthplace was a village called Nii~-lii~-chvn-dvn, located along the Smith River in Del Norte County, California. She was the youngest of nine children born to Billie and Alice Henry.
Her mother, Alice Henry, wanted Eunice to go to high school. In 1947, Eunice became the first of her siblings to finish high school. She graduated from Del Norte High School in Crescent City, California.
After high school, she found a job working with lily bulbs. There, she met James Bommelyn. He had moved to Del Norte to find work. They married in 1950 and had four children together.
Protecting Tolowa Culture
Eunice Bommelyn joined the Inter-Tribal Council of California (ITCC). She worked very hard to save Tolowa customs and their language.
She brought back the Nee-dash dance. This important Tolowa ceremony had been banned in 1923. Now, the Nee-dash dance is taught to Tolowa children. Bommelyn also bought land along the Smith River. This land is still used for Tolowa ceremonies today. She also taught classes to help people learn the Tolowa language.
Eunice Bommelyn spoke out against a government policy called the "Indian termination policy." This policy wanted Native Americans to give up their traditional ways and become more like mainstream society.
As a tribal historian and family history expert, Bommelyn traced the Tolowa family tree back to the 1790s. Her research helped end an old Tolowa rule that said people could not say the name of someone who had passed away. Her family history records are still used to decide who can be a member of the Smith River Rancheria.
On April 7, 2012, Eunice Bommelyn was honored. This happened at the 5th Annual Humboldt State California Big Time and Social Gathering. This event brings together five California Native American tribes. She was honored for all her work in saving the Tolowa language and customs.
Remembering Eunice Bommelyn
Eunice Bommelyn passed away in Crescent City, California, on April 23, 2012. She was 85 years old.
Her family cut their hair to show respect and to let go of their connection to her spirit. Her grandchildren buried her at the How-On-Quet Indian Cemetery. This cemetery looks out over the Smith River. In 2012, the Tolowa people did not perform the Nee-dash dance. This was done to remember Eunice Bommelyn and honor her memory.
