PREVIOUSLY: Local Tribe Backs Out of Hosting ‘Freedom Conference’ Led by Inflammatory Ferndale Pastor Tyrel Bramwell

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Josefina Frank, chairwoman of the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, emailed the following statement in response to an inquiry from the Outpost:

Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Refusal to host “Freedom of Conscience and Religious Liberty Conference”

LOLETA / CA – OCTOBER 4, 2023: The Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria has determined that the request from St. Mark Lutheran Church to host their event titled “Freedom of Conscience and Religious Liberty Conference” will not be hosted at any of the Bear River Band facilities and was in fact cancelled. 

The Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria has not made this determination out of discrimination towards another faith or others’ beliefs. On the contrary, The Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria supports one’s right to their faith as well as freedom of speech.

On October 10th, 2022 Pastor Tyrel Bramwell shared publicly a video expressing his views on Christopher Columbus and his concerns regarding the County of Humboldt recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day rather than Columbus Day. This video not only allowed Pastor Bramwell to express his concerns but also exercise his freedom of speech.

It was within this video that the remarks and statements he made were found to be extremely insensitive and offensive to the Indigenous Peoples of this area to include the tribal membership of the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria.  

“The amount of genocide that has taken place within our Tribal Nation and the Tribal Nations surrounding us is great. We have not forgotten how our people have suffered and how our children are continuing to suffer because of the acts committed against us and by those identified in the video dated October 10th, 2022. The Bear River Band will not stand behind any individual/group who has a blatant disregard for the atrocities that have taken place. It is for this reason that the determination has been made to not host the event as requested by St. Mark Lutheran Church,” [said] Josefina Frank, Tribal Chairwoman, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria.