Bonnie Lockhart and Meyo Marrufo Mask Awareness Project

Bonnie Lockhart and Meyo Marrufo, Ukiah
Bonnie Lockhart is a member of the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians. She is a social worker, weaver, and artist. She invests her time in projects that nurture intergenerational healing through community building, program development, project management, culture, spirituality, and social change. Bonnie’s work focuses on engaging youth and adults in personal and community wellness through co-learning, story, and collaboration.  

Meyo Marrufo has learned from many gifted artists over the years and has focused on cultural arts, regalia making, and traditional foods and cooking techniques. She teaches classes in Northern California in these methods, focused on continuing this knowledge and renewing it for future generations. In addition, as a Tribal Environmental Director, Meyo works hands-on with the protection of the Pomo cultural landscape. She is working directly to impact the restoration and protection of our tribal lifeways.  

The Project
Meyo and Bonnie decorated an art card with messaging and information on the inside about wearing a mask and the Mask Awareness Project. The messaging states, “Our Elders would do anything for you, wear a mask for them," which specifically targets for Native youth (20s and 30s).The card has elicited a few requests from the community to distribute masks. This was a project Meyo and Bonnie wanted to do on their own initially and are thankful for the funding from NCO.  Meyo and Bonnie have shared on their personal Facebook pages “Mask Up with Meyo and Bonnie” posts. So far, 500 cards have gone out and the pair is planning to send another round before the holidays. As we approach the holidays, Meyo and Bonnie are looking at new messaging to share regarding sticking to your stable bubble and protecting elders.