The words to express this news are truly hard to find. I am so proud of my Tribe, the work we have done and the roads we paved. This was a hard journey, many of us have had growing pains in this process. It’s always a good day to be Yurok!
The first time I met Chairman Dru with the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, I felt safe, heard, and understood. The Paskenta Tribe owns a beautiful small craft brewery and distillery. Facing the same challenges and opportunities that we do at Mad River Brewery. The last three years we always talk about what we, “could” do. More opportunities arise when there are more people knocking at the door, asking for the same thing, on the same team.
The beer industry has not always been the best for women, especially Native women. I have faced so many harsh comments and judgements that have not been necessary. The truth is, Native American have trauma, not just from the past, but currently. This is never talked about, never accepted, just telling the world we are all alcoholics. That is not true. We do not have a different tolerance, we are not all alcoholics, we deserve the truth!
Native American products in general should have a space in stores, we should have a category, we should be working together. Native American casinos in California have the highest sales for numerous things, why shouldn’t all the things be Native owned? From tea, towels, beer, food, jewelry, shirt, we should support each other!
The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians promote inter-tribal commerce, have in place a successful business structure, and can make sure MRB moves on to the next step of growth, as it should.
Mad River Brewery Team, they deserve the world. Everyone here works so hard, best intentions and they deserve an opportunity to show that to the world, now that can happen. You may see my face sometimes, but they are the ones that make this happen, every single one of them. The opportunity to work with a team that is not judgmental, open, honest, supportive, intelligent, and genuinely excited, is rare. Being a female as well, I have never felt safer than I do now. We are a team, the best team! Mad River Beer will not change, just more growth, more packages, and new options.
Cheers to the future!
Senior Editor at Adweek
8moSo much can be said about 420, right? It's amateur hour, like NYE. It's strayed from its roots. And on and on. But you have a point Cann -- it's a lot of different things now and it should be an arms-wide-open event, accessible to the mainstream (ie the cannacurious). Huzzah on some cool partnerships that will no doubt keep spreading a more inclusive message.