Loren Me'-lash-ne Bommelyn

Loren “Me’-lash-ne” Bommelyn has dedicated himself to preserving traditional cultural practices of the Tolowa Dee-ni' along the Pacific Coast of California and Oregon. Among his mediums are twine basketry, coastal line dance ceremony, ceremonial regalia, and singing. As a language keeper who spearheaded a transition from an “oral tradition” to a “written tradition” for preservation purposes, his dream is to see the youngest generation of Tolowa Dee-ni’ speaking their language in the lands where both the language and the people originated.

In his youth Me’-lash-ne was recruited by the Spiritual Knowledge Keepers to hold Tolowa Ceremony. He wove his first basket at age sixteen and his expertise in hazel withe basketry sits at the center of tradition. In 1994 he completed building a traditional ceremonial house on his family property which became the site of the first complete Tolowa ceremony of genesis since 1925.

At the urging of tribal elders, Me’-lash-ne became the first member of his family to go to college. He completed his teaching credential in 1980 and became the first credentialed Indian Language teacher in California. He returned home to teach Tolowa language, Art, Biology and Social Studies in the public school system. Attending the University of Oregon to earn his master’s degree in Linguistics in 1997, he retired from 34 years of teaching in 2014 and from 25 years serving on his Tribal Council in 2017.

Me’-lash-ne currently hosts Naa-yvlh-sri Nee-dash (the World Renewal Dance) for his community, holds naming ceremonies, teaches language, and weaves.

“Weaving teaches us all. Weaving takes us out on the land.”

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