The California Valley Miwok Tribe is a federally recognized tribe, deeply rooted in the history and heritage of the Miwok people of California. Geographically, their ancestral ties lie within the landscapes of San Joaquin and Calaveras Counties, placing them within the broader context of the Sierra Miwok, an indigenous group with a rich cultural legacy in the state.
Identity and Nomenclature
Officially known as the California Valley Miwok Tribe, this group has also been historically referred to by other names. The term "Sierra Miwok" reflects their geographical location in the Sierra Nevada region. The tribe was formerly known as the Sheep Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California, a name still sometimes used in reference to their historical land base. "Sheep Ranch Rancheria" or simply "Mewan" also appear as alternate designations. The significance of the name "Sheep Ranch Rancheria" stems from the history of the area.
Traditional Territory and Ancestral Lands
The ancestral territory of the California Valley Miwok Tribe falls within the broader range of the Plains and Sierra Miwok people. These Miwok groups, once among the largest indigenous populations in California, inhabited a vast area. Their domain extended across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, nestled between the Fresno and Cosumnes rivers. They also occupied the northern portion of the Central Valley, specifically the Delta region where the Cosumnes, Mokelumne, and Sacramento rivers converge. This strategic location provided access to diverse resources and facilitated a way of life deeply intertwined with the natural environment.
Tribal Affiliation and Treaties
The California Valley Miwok Tribe is part of the larger Miwok Confederacy, a grouping of related Miwok peoples sharing linguistic and cultural similarities. Details regarding specific treaties affecting the tribe are scarce, underscoring the complex and often fraught history of interactions between indigenous groups and the U.S. government.
The Sheep Ranch Rancheria
The Sheep Ranch Rancheria, established in 1916, represents a crucial aspect of the tribe’s modern history. This small parcel of land, measuring just 0.92 acres, served as a designated area for the tribe. Currently, the Rancheria primarily serves as a cemetery, a sacred space that honors the ancestors and the history of the California Valley Miwok Tribe. The Rancheria is in the Pacific Time Zone. The precise location of the tribal headquarters remains unspecified.
Population Dynamics: A Story of Decline and Resilience
The population history of the Plains and Sierra Miwok, including the ancestors of the California Valley Miwok Tribe, reveals a dramatic narrative of decline following European contact. Alfred L. Kroeber’s estimate of 9,000 Plains and Sierra Miwok in 1770 is considered by some to be a conservative figure, while Richard Levy estimated a larger population of 17,800. By 1848, their numbers had dwindled to approximately 6,000. The devastating effects of disease, displacement, and violence continued to take their toll. In 1852, the population was estimated at 4,500, plunging to a mere 100 by 1880. By 1910, only around 670 individuals remained. When the Sheep Valley Rancheria was established in 1916, the California Valley Miwok Tribe consisted of only 12 members.
Tragically, the California Valley Miwok Tribe is now one of the smallest federally recognized tribes in the United States. As of 2013, the registered population was reported to be only five members.
Governance and Leadership
The California Valley Miwok Tribe is governed by a tribal council, comprised of two members, and led by a Chairperson and Secretary-Treasurer. The specifics of their charter, governing body name, dates of constitutional amendments, and election procedures are not publicly available.
Language and Cultural Heritage
The language of the Miwok people is classified within the broader Penutian language family. While specific dialects associated with the California Valley Miwok Tribe are not detailed, the overall linguistic heritage of the Miwok is an integral part of their cultural identity. Information regarding the number of fluent speakers and the existence of dictionaries is limited.
Origins and Social Structure
The Miwok people were traditionally organized into distinct regional and linguistic subdivisions. These included the Plains Miwok, Northern Sierra Miwok, Central Sierra Miwok, and Southern Sierra Miwok. These divisions reflect the diverse geographical landscapes and cultural adaptations within the broader Miwok population. Information regarding specific bands, gens, or clans within the California Valley Miwok Tribe is not readily available.
Cultural Practices and Traditions
The record of myths, legends, tales, and histories from the Sierra Miwok is one of the most extensive in the state of California. The Miwok are renowned for their exceptional basketry skills, producing beautifully woven baskets for utilitarian and ceremonial purposes.
The Sierra Miwok lived by hunting and gathering, adapting their subsistence strategies to the seasonal availability of resources. They lived in small local tribes, without centralized political authority.
The traditional Sierra Miwok worldview encompassed shamanism, with the Kuksu religion playing a significant role in Central and Northern California. This religious system involved elaborate ceremonies, dances, and rituals performed in traditional attire. The Kuksu religion, shared with other indigenous groups like the Pomo, Maidu, Ohlone, Esselen, and northernmost Yokuts, emphasized shamanic intervention with the spirit world and incorporated puberty rites and all-male societies that met in subterranean dance rooms.
Miwok mythology shares similarities with other native cultures of Central and Northern California. The Sierra Miwok believed in animal and human spirits, often viewing animal spirits as their ancestors. The Coyote figure holds particular significance, often seen as a creator god and ancestral figure.
Historical Trauma and Resilience
The history of the California Valley Miwok Tribe is inextricably linked to the broader history of Native American dispossession and violence in California. The Gold Rush era brought an influx of settlers, leading to the displacement, exploitation, and decimation of indigenous populations. Bounties were paid for Indian scalps in some areas, and the state treasury reimbursed local governments for expenses related to these atrocities. The pre-Gold Rush population of approximately 150,000 Indians in California plummeted to fewer than 30,000 by 1870, marking one of the most devastating periods of Indian history in the United States.
The establishment of the Sheep Ranch Rancheria in 1915 by the U.S. government’s land acquisition act for homeless Indians represents an attempt to provide some measure of security and stability for the surviving members of the tribe. Peter Hodge was recognized as the leading member of the group of original twelve individuals.
Recent History and Challenges
The history of the California Valley Miwok Tribe in recent decades has been marked by internal disputes and challenges to tribal leadership. After Mable Hodge Dixie’s death in 1971, the Chieftainship passed to her sons, Richard and then Yakima Dixie. In 1998, Yakima Dixie granted tribal status to Silvia Burley, a distant relative, to assist with tribal organization. However, this decision led to a dispute over tribal authority, with allegations that Burley redirected funds and disenfranchised other tribal members.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) became involved in resolving the leadership dispute. In 2007, the BIA recommended assistance in establishing a new tribal government. However, the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs later declared that the tribe could organize its own government without BIA oversight. In December 2011, the U.S. Federal Government reaffirmed its formal recognition of the California Valley Miwok Tribe.
The Future of the Tribe
Despite the challenges they have faced, the members of the California Valley Miwok Tribe remain committed to preserving their cultural heritage and securing a future for their people. Their story is a testament to the resilience and determination of Native American communities in the face of adversity. Further research and documentation are needed to fully understand and appreciate the rich history and cultural contributions of the California Valley Miwok Tribe.