Lisa Darnell Elgin

Lisa (Point Arena Pomo) was born in Santa Rosa, California to parents Alfred Elgin Jr. (Dry Creek Pomo) and Lorraine Laiwa (Manchester Point Arena Pomo). Lisa, “Lou Lou”, began her journey home the morning of June 3 at the age of 68. 

Lisa was raised in Healdsburg & Santa Cruz during early years.  She also lived in Nevada, returned to the Bay Area for a couple of years, and then settled in Santa Rosa where she attended and graduated from Piner High School in 1974 and later Empire Business College.  

After graduating college, Lisa spent her life dedicated to working for Indian organizations and agencies. Her first job was in DC for the American Indian Policy Review Commission.  She worked for BIA Realty Department in Sacramento, CA.  Lisa worked for over 25 years as a Legal Assistant/Legal Secretary, with numerous lawyers who specialized in Federal Indian law.  She also worked for the National Indian Justice Center located in Sonoma County. 

Lisa was passionate about creating health equity in Indian Country. She held roles on the Boards of Sonoma County Indian Health Project since 1999, the  California Rural Indian Health Board, was the California Representative to the National Indian Health Board from 2014-2022, and also testified numerous times in Congress for more equitable healthcare funding for Tribes in California. Lisa also worked as a Tribal Administrator for her tribe and the Indian Child and Family Preservation Program. 

Lisa was regarded as a community leader and actively participated in community events and was dedicated to cooking for the annual Dreams Not Drugs camp for native youth. In her younger years, Lisa was an avid pool player, played fast-pitch softball as a Catcher, and bowled with her sisters.  Recently, she enjoyed hosting Tea Parties for her family & friends, made necklaces and earrings, and crafting.  She blessed many with Christmas Wreaths and Earring holders she designed.  She enjoyed making treats for her “children” for the holidays. She blessed many with her tup tup bread upon special request. 

Lisa loved spending time with her relatives, whether it was over a meal or watching a game. She was funny, often recounting stories from her life, generous, kind, and loving to all who knew her. Lisa was a traditional dancer and was passionate about cooking, baking, regalia making, and crafting for every season. Even as her health declined, she was positive and giving, quick with a kind word. Lisa gave light to everyone she touched and it is with profound sadness that she left us too soon. 

Lisa was preceded in death by her mother Lorraine Laiwa and her brothers Alfred Elgin III, Matthew, and Charles Lucas. She is survived by her partner in life Anthony Sawyer, her father Alfred Elgin Jr.; sisters Lorilie Fakhouri, Lydia Aguayo, and Elizabeth Elgin DeRouen; nieces and nephews Kirby, Ross, Alexis, Jordan, Laila, Shikira, LeVon, Nathanial, Hailey, Elena, and Elliott; godchildren Lacey, Elvina, Ross, and Laila; and grand nieces and nephews Loviyona, Tatiana, Laiwa, Lennox, Paulino, Audriana, Latrell, Talon, Naima, Marcus, Ruby, Jade, Nora, Ophelia, Koa, Mila, Isla, Sawyer, and Khalil. 

A viewing for Lisa will be held on June 12, from 5-8PM at Lafferty and Smith Colonial Chapel (4321 Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa, CA 95409). A memorial celebrating Lisa will be held on June 13, from 10AM to 12PM at Lafferty & Smith. Immediately following services on the 13th, Lisa will be laid to rest in Point Arena at the Oddfellows Cemetery on Shoreline Highway 1. A reception at Trinity Hall will follow at 4pm.

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