LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – I had the good fortune to meet Dino Beltran at Twin Pine Casino's Indian Days event in October.

Beltran sits on the tribal council of the Koi Nation of Northern California.

He wears many hats, the least of which is narrator and a producer for the Emmy Award winning film called "A Walk Through Time."

The film won the Governor's Historic Preservation Award in 2015 in Sacramento, and went on to garner an Emmy Award in the category of "Historic/Cultural-Program/Special" at the 46th annual Northern California Emmy Awards ceremony in San Francisco in June.

On hand to collect the Emmy Award, as Lake County News previously reported, were: "production team members Director Dan Bruns of the Advanced Laboratory for Visual Anthropology at California State University, Chico; archaeologist Dr. John Parker, another of the producers, along with his wife, Cheyanne, who also is an archaeologist; Executive Producer Leslie Steidl, a retired associate state archaeologist with the California Department of Parks and Recreations; and Eduardo Guaracha, the superintendent of the California State Parks Northern Buttes District, which includes Lake County".

Beltran underscored the fact that the making of the film was truly a team effort, and genuinely thanks the supervisors of Lake County, his tribal council and the Upper Lake Pomo, as well.

"A Walk Through Time" portrays the importance of Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, and how the park came to be.

The short film, only 28 minutes, made its world premier in Clearlake during the summer of 2015, when actor Peter Coyote was on hand to introduce the film to the public.

The film came about due to the efforts of the local Koi Indian Tribe, California State Parks, Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association, archaeologists Parker and Greg White, geoarchaeologist Jack Meyer, retired State Parks Ranger Tom Nixon, Koi Nation Chair Darin Beltran and Vice Chair Drake Beltran.

The richly informative film gives an overview of our local gem, Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, incorporating interviews with key players in the making of the park, stunning cinematography and outstanding narration by Dino Beltran.

The intense efforts to preserve the land that is now Anderson Marsh State Historic Park began with Parker's hard work, along with many, many local supporters, which culminated in the creation of the 1,300 acres park in 1982.

The film discusses Anderson Marsh's wetlands, oak woodlands and grasslands. It talks about the park's cultural aspects which includes dozens of American Indians archaeological sites located here, some of which are over 14,000 years old.

The film, along with a corresponding curriculum which I authored, were released to all Lake County elementary schools by Raeann Bossarte, State Park interpreter, Northern Buttes District and recently retired State Parks Archaeologist, Leslie Steidl,.

The hopes are that teachers in grades third through fifth will make use of the invaluable teaching resources within their classrooms to educate students on this unique and important site.

Beltran grew up in Santa Rosa. His great-grandfather, John Johnson, and his brother, Tom, owned a produce business in Sonoma County.

Beltran was very familiar with his people's cultural history in Lake County, since he made many trips to Lake County in his youth to visit family.

He has made it his job to learn about his past, and states in the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association's bulletin: "The Koi people had a simple way of life based on the complex spiritual connection with the living environment of the surrounding area. All natural things are considered to have been created by the Creator and should be embraced and respected. Spirituality and one's connection with their higher power is a way of life. The Koi ancestors and those of the Elem and Kamdot tribes shared a common language which is of the Hokan language root. It is believed to be one of the oldest languages in the entire state. Today the Koi has revived our language and along with resources found at UC Berkeley we have language classes today."

Beltran does not plan to “rest on his laurels” and, instead has been diligently working on a new documentary which focuses on sacred site protection work that is currently taking place in Lake County.

A consortium called Ancestors 1 has been instigated by the Koi Nation as well as the Upper Lake Habematolel Pomo to make the film.

Beltran is very encouraged with the work Sheriff Brian Martin is doing to help ensure protection for sacred sites and artifacts with his "Archaeological Crimes Class" which was co-sponsored by the Koi Nation, and hosted by the Habematolel Pomo at Running Creek Casino in Lake County.

A memorandum of agreement was signed in December of 2016 to enforce a previous state law and is called AB 52. The AB 52 agreement states that the tribes are to be consulted prior to land development to ensure that their cultural resources are not lost.

Beltran also holds a great deal of respect for District Attorney Don Anderson and his work with Beltran's tribe on these matters.

The documentary will discuss how looting of American Indian artifacts is on the rise in our state and county, and how the illegal practice disregards both the relics and the tribe's spiritual relationship with the land. The thefts often go hand-in-hand with drug users and their insatiable quest for drug money.

This new documentary, which not only has Gov. Jerry Brown's support – since he is a landowner in Colusa County and wanted to learn about American Indian artifacts – will also feature an appearance by the governor in the film.

Another boon to the film and its goal of informing the public on its important topic, is that award-winning actor, director Peter Coyote will narrate the new documentary.

Beltran has expressed his good fortune with his friendship with Coyote, who has encouraged Beltran in his endeavors, and invited Beltran to attend a voice acting class.

Beltran said, "We say 'O!' for appreciation, in our tribe.

To purchase a DVD of "A Walk Through Time" call the tribal office at 707-575-5586. One hundred percent of the monies go toward the Koi Nation personnel to patrol Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.

Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also formerly wrote for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.