Nestled within the rugged Pacific Coast Mountain range of Northern California lies the Cahto Rancheria, home to the Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria, a federally recognized tribe with a rich and enduring history. This sovereign nation, strategically situated in the heart of Long Valley, finds itself almost equidistant between the bustling urban centers of Eureka and Santa Rosa. The rancheria is conveniently located roughly two miles from the town of Laytonville, providing access to essential resources and community connections, and approximately 26 miles inland from the dramatic California coastline of the Pacific Ocean.
Identity and Nomenclature
The official tribal name is simply the Cahto Tribe. However, the tribe holds a deeper, more resonant name rooted in their ancestral language: Tlokyáhan, translating to "Grass People." This name speaks to the tribe’s intimate connection with the natural world and the fertile landscapes that have sustained them for generations. The name "Cahto" itself is derived from a Northern Pomo word, loosely meaning "lake," a reference to Djilbi, a historically significant Cahto village site. Throughout history, the Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria has also been known by alternate names, including the Laytonville Rancheria, reflecting their present-day community, and, historically, they were sometimes referred to as the Kaipomo or Kato people. It is important to note that "Cato" is a common misspelling.
Geographical Context and Traditional Territory
The Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria historically inhabited three small valleys along the upper reaches of the South Fork of the Eel River in California. These valleys, characterized by their lush vegetation and abundant resources, were cradled by towering redwood forests, a defining feature of the region’s landscape. It is estimated that there may have been as many as 50 Cahto villages scattered throughout this territory. Unlike some other California tribes, the Cahto lacked a centralized tribal organization, with each village operating largely independently.
The Cahto territory was geographically bordered by Yukian-speaking peoples, namely the Yuki and Huchnom, with whom they shared cultural similarities. For a time, these shared characteristics led some to believe that the Cahto were part of the larger Pomo tribe. However, the Cahto maintained their distinct identity and language, solidifying their unique place within the tapestry of California’s Native American cultures.
Governance and Recognition
The Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria is a federally recognized tribe, holding a government-to-government relationship with the United States. Their governing body is the Tribal Executive Committee, comprised of a Member at Large, along with executive officers including a Tribal Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary-Treasurer. This committee is responsible for making decisions that impact the tribe and ensuring the well-being of its members.
Land and Resources
The Laytonville Rancheria, purchased for the Cahto people in 1908 by missionaries, consists of approximately 202 acres. This land serves as the foundation for the tribe’s community, culture, and self-governance.
The Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria flag is a powerful symbol of their sovereignty and identity. It features a stylized bear claw outlined in white, centered on a black pictograph representing the Cahto ancestral lake home. This pictograph is set against a red field, surrounded by a white and red border. The words "CAHTO TRIBE" are emblazoned in white block letters above the lake pictograph. The bear claw signifies the importance of the bear as a tribal totem, while the lake symbol represents their ancestral lands. The colors hold deep meaning: red symbolizing the blood of their people, white representing the purity of their spirit, and black reflecting the rich lake bottomland that sustained their ancestors. This flag, adopted in 2013, is a modern creation, representing the tribe’s contemporary identity while honoring its historical roots.
Demographics and Language
At the time of European contact, the Cahto population was estimated to be around 1,100 individuals, residing in approximately 50 villages. Today, the registered population is around 250, with a significant portion living on the reservation.
The Cahto language belongs to the Athabascan language family, specifically the Wailakian branch. The Athabascan languages spoken in northwestern California are divided into three broad groups: Hupa-Chilula, Mattole-Bear River, and Eel River (which includes Cahto and other dialects). Sadly, no fluent speakers of the Cahto language remain, but determined efforts are underway to revitalize this vital aspect of their cultural heritage.
History and Culture
The Cahto people were traditionally hunter-gatherers, skillfully adapting to the resources available in their environment. They followed the seasonal cycles of their important food sources, making an annual journey to the Mendocino coast to fish, gather shellfish, and harvest seaweed. Deer, rabbits, and quail were primary game animals, while men also hunted bears and smaller animals.
The women of the tribe played a crucial role in gathering acorns, nuts, seeds, berries, and roots from the forest. Acorns were a staple food, processed into a thick soup called acorn mush or sometimes into bread. Fishing was also an important part of their diet, catching salmon and other fish from the Eel River and its tributaries.
Traditional Cahto houses were circular structures built over a shallow excavation. The space between the supporting posts was filled with slabs of wood and bark, providing insulation from the elements. A smoke hole in the roof allowed for ventilation, and the doorway was a narrow opening leading from the ground to the sloping roof. In the summers, temporary lean-to shelters made from brush were constructed for travel.
The Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria engaged in ceremonies and dances that were an integral part of their spiritual and social life. Ceremonies were held in the winter and summer, with guests from neighboring villages often invited. The Acorn Dance was performed in the winter, with the hope of ensuring a bountiful acorn crop in the coming year. Other dances included the Feather Dance and the Necum Dance, while more serious War Dances were performed before battles.
Economy and Contemporary Life
Today, the Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria operates its own housing authority, tribal police, and EPA office. Economic development is driven by revenues generated by the tribe’s Red Fox Casino, located in Laytonville. The casino, an alcohol-free facility with slot machines, provides employment opportunities and revenue to support tribal programs and services.
Religion and Spiritual Beliefs
The traditional religious beliefs of the Cahto people centered around two deities: Ch’änah or Tâ’cenes, the creator, associated with thunder and lightning, and his companion, Nághai-cho or Nagaicho, the Great Traveler. Nághai-cho was portrayed as a mischievous figure who constantly urged Ch’änah to create, while pretending to possess the knowledge and power to do so himself.
The Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria also showed influences from both central California and North Pacific Coast mythologies. Their creation story included a race of animal-people swept from the earth by a deluge, a theme characteristic of North Pacific Coast mythology.
Shamans played a vital role in Cahto society, with three classes: the ’tiy-’h, who became medicine men through instruction, and two other classes who acquired their power through dreams. Some Cahto people also participated in the Kuksu Cult religion, which involved elaborate ceremonial dances and specific regalia. In the 1870s, the Cahto adopted a version of the Ghost Dance Religion from the Big Head Cult movement.
Social Organization and Customs
Traditional Cahto villages were led by one or two headmen who provided advice to the community. Decisions were generally made by the elders of the village, and the position of village headman was often passed down from father to son.
The Cahto had specific puberty rites for both boys and girls. Boys received instruction in mythology, mortuary rites, shamanistic practices, and puberty observances. Girls, upon reaching puberty, lived a quiet and abstemious life for five months, remaining near the house, abstaining from meat, and drinking little water.
Marriage was arranged between the two individuals, and the bond could be easily dissolved. Adultery resulted in little more than bickering, and children were not regarded as belonging more to the paternal or maternal side.
Conclusion
The Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria has a rich and complex history, shaped by their unique environment, cultural traditions, and interactions with neighboring tribes and the outside world. Despite the challenges they have faced, the Cahto people have persevered, maintaining their identity and working towards a brighter future for their community. Their story is a testament to the resilience and strength of Native American cultures in California.