On the night of June 14, unknown Vandals destroyed the Miwok village display located in Miwok Park in Novato. The display showed how the Native American Indians lived in early Novato. Since then, with much community support, the restoration of the village has begun. Under the leadership of Greg Reza, Marin County Park Ranger, The three Rotary clubs of Novato, The United Presbyterian Church, Boy Scouts from Novato and Mill Valley and many interested citizens, both young and old, have been hard at work.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, first day of rebuilding began which involved willow reed harvesting at Stafford Lake. This was followed by clearing the site, and using the willows to build the frame for the kotcha on Monday. On Oct 13th, the group went to Susiun in four pick-up trucks to gather the reeds to be used to make the fabric to cover the kotcha.` On Oct 16, community volunteers and their families met at Miwok Park to convert the Tule to fabric and finished the building. Next the Novato Rotary Clubs and the Presbyterian Church will finance and install a night light and camera security system.
The new kotcha was completed ahead of schedule on Oct 17, 2015. A November celebration is planned.
