POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM: VII G
MEETING DATE: 10/28/2025
TITLE
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Mural
RECOMMENDED ACTION
No action necessary
ANALYSIS
A mural has been approved by City Hall to be painted on the south side of the building located at 243 Main Street. The artwork honors the memory of Nicole Smith and celebrates her cultural heritage, while also serving as a broader dedication to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). Smith tragically lost her life in a drive-by shooting on the Manchester Rancheria in 2017; the shooter has not been identified.
Developed in close collaboration with Smith’s family, the mural’s imagery has been entirely guided by their vision, incorporating traditions, stories, and symbols that hold deep meaning within her community. The artist, Nicole Ponzler, brings more than 30 years of experience in community-based and social justice–oriented public art. She has approached this project with deep cultural sensitivity, ensuring that the mural authentically reflects the family’s wishes and honors Smith’s legacy.
The upper sections of the mural will be completed by Ponzler, while the lower eight feet will be reserved for community paint days, providing residents with the opportunity to participate directly in the creative process. This collaborative artwork will serve as a powerful expression of remembrance, cultural pride, and collective pursuit of justice for Nicole Smith, while also raising awareness of the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENTS
Mural Design
CITY MANAGER SIGNATURE
Molly C. Haviland, City Manager