Essie Pinola Parrish

Essie Pinola Parrish (1902–1979), was a Kashaya Pomo spiritual leader and an expert basketweaver.

"She was acknowledged as her people’s “dreamer” at age 6 and had a great ability to prophesy and interpret dreams."

She educated Kashaya children in the Kashaya Pomo language, and "presented Robert Kennedy with a treasured hand-woven basket when he visited the Kashaya reservation to investigate conditions in Indian schools."

She "compiled a Kashaya Pomo dictionary, working with Robert Oswalt, a Berkeley scholar well-known in the field of Indian linguistics." Her work on Kashaya Pomo is in the California Language Archive. She "helped create over 20 anthropological films documenting Pomo culture and ceremonies."

Essie Parrish, "along with Mabel McKay, of the revitalized Bole Maru Dreamer religion, spoke at the New School in New York on March 14, 1972."

"Toward the end of the world, when I am no longer here ... it's important people remember and respect."