Photo Courtesy
A historic step forward in environmental conservation and Indigenous sovereignty is now documented for the public. A new 10-part video series, produced by Samuel Euston of Euston Productions, captures the ceremonial signing of the landmark Clear Lake Tribal Co-Management Agreement on September 11, 2026, at Big Valley Rancheria.
The event marks the first formal partnership under California’s Tribal Stewardship Policy. Seven Tribal Nations joined forces with the State of California, Lake County, and regional agencies to establish formal, shared stewardship over Clear Lake—California’s oldest natural freshwater lake.
The agreement bridges millennia of Traditional Ecological Knowledge with cutting-edge scientific restoration techniques—including UC Davis oxygenation technology and BlueCycle algae harvesting—to improve water quality, combat harmful algal blooms, and preserve the threatened Clear Lake hitch (chi).
“The reason we do this work is for the people who aren’t here yet.”
— Chairman Jose “Moke” Simon III
The full video series documents every phase of this historic gathering, from sacred Pomo cultural celebrations to keynote addresses by state and local leadership.
Video Series Chapter Index
- Part 01: Geneva Thompson Intro — Opening remarks on the significance of the watershed agreement. YouTube link: https://youtu.be/uSVn8lnWRxQ
- Part 02: Ron Montez Invocation — Traditional blessing opening the historic ceremony.YouTube link: https://youtu.be/uz1JtZiCAFk
- Part 03: Acknowledgements — Recognizing the key organizers, Tribal leaders, and agency partners.YouTube link: https://youtu.be/IckQ3qCP3GY
- Part 04: Big Valley Pomo Indian Dancers — Cultural dance performance along the shoreline.YouTube link: https://youtu.be/uCo8zR2BBow
- Part 05: Why We’re Here — Framing the urgency of ecological restoration and shared governance.YouTube link: https://youtu.be/yGIt3WVmDxk
- Part 06: Tribal Leaders Remarks — Statements from sovereign Tribal leadership.YouTube link: https://youtu.be/JVlyyn3281Y
- Part 07: Local Leaders Remarks — Community and county leadership perspectives.YouTube link: https://youtu.be/eMZ–WUEuMo
- Part 08: Wade Crowfoot Address — Keynote by California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot.YouTube link: https://youtu.be/cxyhC_HoJlw
- Part 09: The Signing Ceremony — The official signing of the watershed co-management agreement.YouTube link: https://youtu.be/frgiBmkjafE
- Part 10: Closing Remarks & Blue Ribbon Committee — Insights from Eric Sklar, UC Davis, and project partners on the path forward.YouTube link: https://youtu.be/S_Sr-5KewSo
- Part 11: The Our Historic Event & Our Clear Lake & Tribal Co-Management Agreement 09-11-2026YouTube link: https://youtu.be/sYUczzJJMRI
Special thanks to Environmental Director Sarah Ryan, Chairman Flaman McCloud Jr., and the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians for providing the opportunity and permission to document this monument to collaborative stewardship.
Filmed and produced by Samuel Euston of Euston Productions (www.EustonProductions.com).
Supported in part by the County of Lake Administration Department.
© 2026 Samuel Euston. All rights reserved.
Historic Clear Lake Tribal Co-Management Agreement Video Series Playlist:
