California, a land of diverse landscapes and rich history, is home to a significant number of Native American tribes, each with its own unique culture, traditions, and heritage. Reflecting this enduring presence are 86 Indian Reservations, Rancherias, and Indian Colonies scattered throughout the state. These lands serve as homelands for various tribes, offering a place for cultural preservation, community development, and self-governance. This article explores a selection of these California Indian Reservations, providing insights into their history, location, tribal affiliations, and unique characteristics.
(Please note that the map image from the original article has been omitted due to the limitations of text-based output. It is recommended to consult a reliable map resource for a visual representation of the reservations’ locations.)
A Glimpse into Selected California Indian Reservations
The following provides a descriptive overview of several California Indian Reservations, Rancherias, and Colonies, shedding light on their significance within the state’s Native American landscape:
1. Agua Caliente Indian Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
- Location: Riverside County, primarily within the city of Palm Springs
- Establishment: 1896
- Size: 31,610 acres (127.9 km²)
The Agua Caliente Indian Reservation stands out due to its significant presence within the bustling city of Palm Springs. Approximately 6,700 acres of the reservation lie within the city limits, making the tribe the largest collective landowner in Palm Springs. The tribe’s holdings include the scenic Indian Canyons, a protected area listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcasing the tribe’s deep connection to the land and its commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. Additionally, the tribe owns land within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, further highlighting its stewardship of valuable natural resources.
2. Alturas Indian Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Achomawi Indians (also known as Pit River Indians)
- Location: Modoc County, near Alturas
- Size: 20 acres (81,000 m²)
- Language: Achumawi
The Alturas Indian Rancheria, home to the Achomawi Indians, represents a smaller yet significant land base for a tribe with deep roots in the region. Situated just southeast of downtown Alturas, the rancheria provides a focal point for tribal members and a place to maintain their cultural identity. The Achomawi, historically known as the Pit River Indians, traditionally spoke the Achumawi language, reflecting their distinct linguistic heritage.
3. Barona Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians (Kumeyaay Indians)
- Location: San Diego County
The Barona Reservation is home to the Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians, a federally recognized tribe of Kumeyaay Indians, who are sometimes known as Mission Indians.
4. Benton Paiute Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe (Benton Paiute Tribe)
- Location: Mono County, near Benton, California, close to the Nevada border
- Establishment: July 22, 1915
- Size: 400 acres held in Trustee status, 67 acres held in fee simple status
The Benton Paiute Reservation provides a homeland for the Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe, also known as the Benton Paiute Tribe. Located in a remote area of Mono County, near the Nevada border, the reservation offers a space for tribal members to maintain their cultural traditions and connection to the land.
5. Berry Creek Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Berry Creek Rancheria of Tyme Maidu Indians
- Location: Butte County, near Oroville and Berry Creek
- Size: 65 acres (260,000 m²)
- Headquarters: Oroville, California
The Berry Creek Rancheria serves as the home base for the Berry Creek Rancheria of Tyme Maidu Indians, a federally recognized Maidu tribe. The rancheria’s land is divided into two separate sites, one near Oroville and the other near Berry Creek, reflecting the dispersed nature of some tribal communities. The tribe actively works to preserve its Maidu heritage and culture.
6. Big Bend Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Pit River Tribe (Achomawi)
- Location: Shasta County, near Big Bend, California
The Big Bend Rancheria provides a land base for members of the Pit River Tribe (Achomawi) in the northern part of the state.
7. Big Lagoon Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Yurok and Tolowa Indians
- Location: Humboldt County, near Big Lagoon
- Establishment: 1918
- Size: 20 acres (81,000 m²)
- Headquarters: Arcata, California
The Big Lagoon Rancheria, established in 1918, is home to members of the Yurok and Tolowa tribes. Situated adjacent to the scenic Big Lagoon in Humboldt County, the rancheria offers a connection to the natural environment and a place to maintain cultural traditions.
8. Big Pine Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Big Pine Band of Owens Valley Paiute and Shoshone Indians
- Location: Inyo County, near Big Pine, California
- Size: Undisclosed
The Big Pine Reservation serves as a homeland for the Big Pine Band of Owens Valley Paiute and Shoshone Indians. Located at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, the reservation provides a place for tribal members to connect with their ancestral lands and maintain their cultural identity.
9. Big Sandy Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Big Sandy Rancheria of Mono Indians of California (Western Mono Indians/Monache)
- Location: Fresno County, near Auberry, California
- Size: 228 acres (0.92 km²)
The Big Sandy Rancheria provides a land base for the Big Sandy Rancheria of Mono Indians of California, a federally recognized tribe of Western Mono Indians (Monache). Situated just outside Auberry, the rancheria offers a place for tribal members to live and maintain their cultural traditions.
10. Big Valley Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians
- Location: Lake County, near Finley, California
- Headquarters: Lakeport, California
The Big Valley Rancheria is home to the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, a federally recognized tribe of Pomo and Pit River Indians. Located in Lake County, near Finley, the rancheria offers a place for tribal members to connect with their ancestral lands and maintain their cultural identity.
11. Bishop Community of the Bishop Colony
- Tribal Affiliation: Bishop Paiute Tribe
- Location: Inyo County, near Bishop, California
- Establishment: 1912
- Size: 877 acres (3.55 km²)
The Bishop Community of the Bishop Colony, also known as the Bishop Paiute Reservation, is located in the upper Owens Valley, near Bishop, California. This area is home to the Bishop Paiute Tribe.
12. Blue Lake Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Wiyot, Yurok, and Hupa Indians
- Location: Humboldt County, near Blue Lake, California
- Size: Approximately 76 acres (0.31 km²)
The Blue Lake Rancheria, located near Blue Lake in Humboldt County, is home to members of the Wiyot, Yurok, and Hupa tribes. The rancheria’s history includes a period of termination and subsequent reinstatement of federal recognition, highlighting the challenges faced by some tribes in maintaining their land base and sovereignty.
13. Bridgeport Paiute Indian Colony
- Tribal Affiliation: Northern Paiute Indians
- Location: Mono County, near Bridgeport, California
- Size: 40 acres (160,000 m²)
The Bridgeport Paiute Indian Colony provides a homeland for a federally recognized tribe of Northern Paiute Indians in Mono County. Located near the community of Bridgeport, the colony offers a place for tribal members to maintain their cultural traditions and connection to the land.
14. Buena Vista Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California (Miwok people)
- Location: Amador County, near Buena Vista, California
- Size: 67 acres
The Buena Vista Rancheria is home to the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California, a federally recognized tribe of Miwok people. Located near Buena Vista in Amador County, the rancheria provides a place for tribal members to connect with their ancestral lands and maintain their cultural identity.
15. Campo Indian Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Campo Band of Diegueno Mission Indians (Campo Kumeyaay Nation)
- Location: San Diego County, California
- Establishment: 1893
- Size: 16,512 acres (66.82 km²)
The Campo Indian Reservation, established in 1893, is home to the Campo Band of Diegueno Mission Indians, also known as the Campo Kumeyaay Nation. Located in San Diego County, the reservation provides a land base for the Kumeyaay people to maintain their cultural traditions and self-governance.
16. Capitan Grande Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians and Viejas Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians (Kumeyaay Indians)
- Location: San Diego County, California, within the Cleveland National Forest
- Size: 15,753 acres (63.75 km²)
The Capitan Grande Reservation, jointly controlled by the Barona and Viejas Groups of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians, has a complex history. The original inhabitants were displaced when the state of California flooded the heart of the reservation to create the El Capitan Reservoir.
17. Cedarville Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Northern Paiute people
- Location: Modoc County, within Cedarville, California
- Establishment: 1914
- Size: 20 acres
The Cedarville Rancheria is a federally recognized rancheria with an area of 20 acres. It was founded in 1914 and is located within the unincorporated community of Cedarville.
18. Chemehuevi Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Chemehuevi Indian Tribe of the Chemehuevi Reservation (Chemehuevi people)
- Location: San Bernardino County, California, bordering Lake Havasu and the Colorado River
- Size: 30,653 acres (124.05 km²)
The Chemehuevi Reservation, located in San Bernardino County along the Colorado River and Lake Havasu, provides a homeland for the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe. The reservation’s proximity to these significant waterways has shaped the tribe’s history and culture.
19. Chicken Ranch Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California (Miwok people)
- Location: Tuolumne County, California
- Size: 2.85 acres
The Chicken Ranch Rancheria is home to the Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California, a federally recognized tribe of Miwok people.
20. Chico Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria (Maidu people)
- Location: Butte County, California
The Chico Rancheria is a federal reservation located in Butte County. It is home to the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria.
21. Cold Springs Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians (Western Mono Indians)
- Location: Fresno County, near Tollhouse, California
- Size: 155 acres (0.63 km²)
The Cold Springs Rancheria, located in Sycamore Valley east of Fresno, provides a land base for the Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians. The rancheria offers a place for tribal members to connect with their ancestral lands and maintain their cultural identity.
22. Colorado River Indian Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Colorado River Indian Tribes (Chemehuevi, Mohave, Hopi, and Navajo)
- Location: La Paz County, Arizona; San Bernardino County and Riverside County, California
- Size: 432.22 square miles (1,119.4 km²)
The Colorado River Indian Reservation spans across parts of Arizona and California, and is home to the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
23. Colusa Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community (Wintun Indians)
- Location: Colusa County, California
- Establishment: 1907
- Size: 573 acres (2.32 km²)
The Colusa Rancheria, also known as the Cachildehe Rancheria, provides a homeland for the Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community. Located in Colusa County, the rancheria offers a place for tribal members to maintain their cultural traditions and connection to the land.
24. Death Valley Indian Community
- Tribal Affiliation: Death Valley Timbisha Shoshone Tribe
- Location: Inyo County, California, within Death Valley National Park
- Establishment: 1982
- Size: 40 acres (0.16 km²)
The Death Valley Indian Community, located within Death Valley National Park, provides a homeland for the Death Valley Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. The tribe’s long history in the Death Valley region is reflected in its cultural traditions and connection to the land.
25. Digger Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians
- Location: California
- Establishment: Act of Mar. 3, 1893
- Size: 330 acres
The Digger Reservation is one of two reservations of the tribe known as the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians.
26. Elem Indian Colony
- Tribal Affiliation: Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians (Elem Band of Pomo/Sulfur Bank Band of Pomo Indians)
- Location: Lake County, near Clearlake Oaks, California
- Size: 50 acres (200,000 m²)
The Elem Indian Colony, located near Clearlake Oaks on the eastern shore of Clear Lake, provides a homeland for the Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians. The tribe has a long history in the area and is working to regain ownership of Rattlesnake Island, a site of significant cultural importance.
27. Elk Valley Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Tolowa and Yurok people
- Location: Del Norte County, near Crescent City, California
Elk Valley Rancheria is a rancheria and the name of a federally recognized tribe of Tolowa and Yurok people.
28. Ewiiaapaayp Indian Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians
- Location: San Diego County, California, near Mount Laguna and Alpine
- Size: 4,102.5 acres (main parcel) and 10 acres (Little Ewiiaapaayp)
The Ewiiaapaayp Indian Reservation, located in eastern San Diego County, provides a homeland for the Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians. The reservation consists of two parcels of land, one near Mount Laguna and the other within Alpine.
29. Fort Bidwell Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Fort Bidwell Indian Community of the Fort Bidwell Reservation (Northern Paiute Indians)
- Location: Modoc County, near Fort Bidwell, California
- Establishment: 1897
- Size: 3,335 acres (13.50 km²)
The Fort Bidwell Reservation, established in 1897, provides a homeland for the Fort Bidwell Indian Community of the Fort Bidwell Reservation, a federally recognized tribe of Northern Paiute Indians. Located in Modoc County, the reservation offers a place for tribal members to maintain their cultural traditions and self-governance.
30. Fort Independence Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Fort Independence Indian Community of Paiute Indians of the Fort Independence Reservation (Paiute and Shoshone people)
- Location: Inyo County, near Independence, California
- Establishment: 1915
- Size: 356 acres
The Fort Independence Reservation, established in 1915, provides a homeland for the Fort Independence Indian Community of Paiute Indians of the Fort Independence Reservation, a federally recognized tribe of Paiute and Shoshone people. Located in Inyo County, the reservation offers a place for tribal members to maintain their cultural traditions and self-governance.
31. Fort Mojave Indian Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Mohave Tribe
- Location: Arizona, California, and Nevada, along the Colorado River
- Establishment: 1870
The Fort Mojave Indian Reservation is located along the Colorado River, currently encompassing acres in Arizona, California, and Nevada.
32. Fort Yuma Indian Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Quechan
- Location: Imperial County, California, and Yuma County, Arizona, near Yuma, Arizona
- Establishment: 1884
- Size: 178.197 km² (68.802 sq mi)
The Fort Yuma Indian Reservation, established in 1884, provides a homeland for the Quechan people. Located in southeastern Imperial County, California, and western Yuma County, Arizona, the reservation is part of the tribe’s traditional lands.
33. Graton Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo Indians)
- Location: Coastal hills of northern California
The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, formerly the Federated Coast Miwok, takes its name from the Graton Rancheria. The federally recognized tribe of Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo Indians re-established its status in 2000.
34. Greenville Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Greenville Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California (Maidu people)
- Location: Plumas County, California
- Size: 51 acres
The Greenville Rancheria is home to the Greenville Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California, a federally recognized tribe of Maidu people.
35. Grindstone Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Grindstone Indian Rancheria of Wintun-Wailaki Indians (Wintun and Wailaki Indians)
- Location: Glenn County, California
- Establishment: 1907
- Size: 120 acres (0.49 km²)
The Grindstone Rancheria, established in 1907, provides a homeland for the Grindstone Indian Rancheria of Wintun-Wailaki Indians, a federally recognized tribe of Wintun and Wailaki Indians. Located in Glenn County, the rancheria offers a place for tribal members to maintain their cultural traditions and connection to the land.
36. Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Hoopa Valley Tribe (Hupa, Yurok, Redwood, and Saiaz)
- Location: Humboldt County, California
- Size: 141.087 sq mi (365.413 km²)
The Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation is located next to the territory of the Yurok at the connection of the Klamath and Trinity Rivers in northeastern Humboldt County.
37. Inaja and Cosmit Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: Inaja Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Inaja and Cosmit Reservation (Kumeyaay Indians)
- Location: San Diego County, California, near Julian
- Establishment: 1875
- Size: 880 acres (3.6 km²)
The Inaja and Cosmit Reservation, located in eastern San Diego County near Julian, provides a homeland for the Inaja Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Inaja and Cosmit Reservation, a federally recognized tribe of Kumeyaay Indians.
38. Jackson Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Jackson Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California (Miwok people)
- Location: Amador County, near Jackson, California
Jackson Rancheria is the reservation for the Jackson Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California, a federally recognized tribe of Miwok people.
39. Jamul Indian Village
- Tribal Affiliation: Jamul Indian Village of California (Kumeyaay Nation)
- Location: San Diego County, California
- Establishment: 1912
- Size: Six acres
The Jamul Indian Village is a federal reservation, located 10 miles southeast of El Cajon, in southeastern San Diego County, California.
40. La Jolla Indian Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians
- Location: San Diego County, California
- Establishment: 1875
- Size: 9,998 acres
The La Jolla Indian Reservation was established in 1875 by executive order of President Ulysses S. Grant. The reservation is home to the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians.
41. La Posta Reservation
- Tribal Affiliation: La Posta Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the La Posta Reservation (Kumeyaay Indians)
- Location: San Diego County, California, near Boulevard
- Size: 3,556 acres (14.39 km²)
The La Posta Reservation, located in the Laguna Mountains of eastern San Diego County, provides a homeland for the La Posta Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the La Posta Reservation, a federally recognized tribe of Kumeyaay Indians.
42. Laytonville Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Cahto Indian Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria (Cahto and Pomo people)
- Location: Mendocino County, California
- Establishment: 1906
- Size: 264 acres
The Laytonville Rancheria, also known as the Cahto Rancheria, provides a homeland for the Cahto Indian Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria, a federal Indian reservation of Cahto and Pomo people.
43. Likely Rancheria
- Tribal Affiliation: Pit River Tribe
- Location: Modoc County, California
- Size: 1.32 acres (5,300 m²)
The Likely Rancheria is a federal Indian reservation belonging to the Pit River Tribe. Likely Rancheria is the smallest Indian reservation in the United States.
(Note: The original article lists several other reservations without descriptions. Further research would be needed to provide detailed information about each of them.)
Conclusion
The California Indian Reservations, Rancherias, and Colonies represent enduring symbols of Native American resilience and self-determination. Each of these lands holds unique significance for the tribes that call them home, serving as centers for cultural preservation, community development, and self-governance. While this article has only touched upon a selection of these reservations, it provides a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Native American history and culture that continues to shape the landscape of California. Understanding and respecting the sovereignty of these tribal lands is crucial for fostering meaningful relationships and supporting the well-being of California’s Native American communities.