The History of Poo-Ha-Bah 

Poo-Ha-Bah (Doctor Water) Healing Center is a very special place, unlike any other in the world that we know of. It was established in the summer of 1998 by Corbin Harney, an Elder and Spiritual Leader of Newe Sogobia, the Western Shoshone Nation.  Corbin had a vision of a center where all people could come to receive traditional healing free of charge and share prayers for what he calls "the Nature Way of Life". Corbin has seen the rapidly growing need for healing because of sickness spreading everywhere, due to nuclear and other toxic contamination affecting air, water and earth. 

Hot springs have been used by the Newe people for healing since time immemorial. In his search for healing waters, Corbin traveled throughout the Western states for many years, but no waters were so clear as the ones in Tecopa. These mineral waters contain strong properties that promote healing of many physical conditions. The water here spoke to Corbin and said, “I can help you if you want me to”. 

When Corbin visited Tecopa in early 1998, he found an old 3.62 acre resort that was perfect, but the price was $85,000. This he didn’t have, but his strong vision motivated others, and within a few months, a down payment of $5,000 was raised. Several additional grants and donations from friends and supporters secured the site and allowed him to make basic repairs. Poo-Ha-Bah is now an independent nonprofit religious 501(c)(3) corporation, with and all-Native Board of Directors.

  Poo-Ha-Bah is a work in progress!

The facility had been uninhabited for 8 years and was in a very bad state of disrepair.  Many people came in the first years to help out with the basics. We now have four pleasant guest rooms and a men's bunk house, a large community room, dining area and kitchen, pool house and office, in addition to Corbin's residence. We have some solar electricity but our intention is to go completely ‘off the grid’ when funds are raised to purchase more solar panels.  Porta-potties are still used for sanitation and we would like to install 2 composting toilets.  Anybody who would like to help with this project please contact us! Poo-Ha-Bah has also installed a wetlands system for gray water, and is planting native plants. Fortunately, Inyo County, CA, is supportive of our plans and wants to use Poo-Ha-Bah as a demonstration project for these alternative technologies, especially the wetlands, which will be an example of how waste water will be recycled in the future. Please see Volunteer section for more information.