The Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria, a federally recognized tribe of Tachi Yokut people, holds a significant place in the history and cultural landscape of California. Their story is one of resilience, adaptation, and a continuing commitment to preserving their heritage in the face of immense challenges. This article delves into the history, culture, and contemporary life of the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria, offering a comprehensive overview of their identity and contributions.
Identity and Recognition
The official tribal name, Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria, reflects both their location and their affiliation with the broader Yokut linguistic and cultural group. The term "Tachi" is a traditional name, while "Yokut" translates to simply "people." Throughout history, the Yokuts have been known by various names, including Tachi Yokuts Tribe, Tachi Yokuts Indians, Mariposans, and Tache. In modern times, the Yokuts are further categorized as Foothill Yokuts, Northern Valley Yokuts, and Southern Valley Yokuts, with the Tachi Yokut belonging to the Southern Valley Yokuts group.
The Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria achieved federal recognition, a crucial step in asserting their sovereignty and securing access to essential resources and services. This recognition acknowledges their distinct political status and their right to self-governance.
Territory and Reservation
The ancestral lands of the Tachi Yokut encompass a vast area within the San Joaquin Valley of California. For centuries, they have called this region home, their presence predating European contact. Before the arrival of Europeans, the Yokuts consisted of as many as 60 independent tribes, united by a shared language and cultural heritage. Their territory stretched from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in the north to Bakersfield in the south, extending eastward into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Some tribes also inhabited the Coast Range foothills to the west and even ventured into the Carrizo Plain, leaving behind rock art in the Painted Rock area.
Today, the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria resides on the Santa Rosa Rancheria, a reservation established in 1934. The Rancheria is located approximately 4.5 miles southeast of Lemoore, California. Initially, the reservation comprised a smaller area, but it has expanded over the years. By 2008, it had grown to 643 acres (260 hectares). A significant expansion occurred on May 28, 2008, when Tribal Chairman Clarence Atwell Jr. and Dale Morris, Pacific Region Director of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, signed documents adding 1,163 acres (471 hectares) of trust land, bringing the total land area to 1,806 acres (731 hectares). The tribal headquarters are located in Lemoore, California, operating within the Pacific Time Zone.
Population and Demographics
Estimating the pre-contact population of Native American groups in California is a complex task, with varying figures offered by different researchers. Alfred L. Kroeber, in 1925, estimated the Yokut population in 1770 to be around 18,000. However, Robert F. Heizer and Albert B. Elsasser, in 1980, suggested a much larger figure of approximately 70,000. Regardless of the exact number, it is clear that the Yokuts had one of the highest population densities in pre-contact North America. Tragically, the Foothill Yokut population experienced a drastic decline of around 93% between 1850 and 1900 due to disease, displacement, and violence.
Today, approximately 2,000 Yokuts are enrolled in federally recognized tribes, with an additional 600 belonging to unrecognized tribes. In 1934, when the Santa Rosa Rancheria was first established, it was home to only 40 people. These early residents faced dire living conditions, often residing in makeshift shelters like tule huts, tin houses, old cars, and chicken coops. The average education level on the reservation was a mere third grade, with field labor serving as the primary source of income.
The population of the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria has grown considerably over the years. By the 2010 Census, the population had increased to 652, with an average education level of eighth grade. Seasonal farm labor remained the primary occupation. However, significant progress has been made in recent years. By 2015, the average education level had risen to the 12th grade and college levels, and living conditions have improved, with residents now living in wood-frame houses, block homes, and mobile homes. Unemployment levels have also decreased significantly, from 85% to 25%, largely due to the economic opportunities provided by the casino and resort.
Governance and Language
The Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria is governed by a Tribal Council, which serves as the governing body. The council consists of two delegates and executive officers, including a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. These individuals are responsible for making decisions that affect the community’s well-being and future.
The traditional language of the Tachi Yokut belongs to the Penutian language family, specifically the Yok-Utian branch, also known as Yokutsan or Mariposan. Valley Yokuts, a sub-group within Yokutsan, is sometimes considered to be three separate languages, with only Northern Valley Yokuts still spoken. The specific dialect spoken by the Tachi Yokut is Nutunutu.
Unfortunately, the Yokutsan languages have suffered greatly due to disease, missionary influence, and the Gold Rush. While thousands of people claim descent from Yokutsan-speaking ancestors, most of the constituent languages are now extinct. Despite this, the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria is actively working to revitalize their language through a Headstart language program, ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to connect with their linguistic heritage.
Culture and Traditions
The Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria, like other Yokut tribes, possesses a rich cultural heritage deeply rooted in their connection to the land. Traditional Yokut life revolved around hunting, gathering, and fishing. Acorns were a staple food source, supplemented by wild plants, roots, and berries. They hunted deer, rabbits, prairie dogs, and other small mammals and birds.
Traditional clothing was simple, made from bark and grass. Jewelry and headbands were crafted from seeds and feathers.
Historically, the Yokuts engaged in trade with other California tribes, including coastal peoples like the Chumash, exchanging plant and animal products.
Economy and Contemporary Life
Today, the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria has diversified its economy. The Tachi Palace Casino & Resort serves as a major source of employment and revenue for the tribe. Other economic ventures include the Sequoia Inn and Rainbow Brite Industrial Services. Some members of the community still work as seasonal farm laborers, maintaining a connection to the land and their agricultural heritage.
History and Resilience
The history of the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria is marked by hardship and resilience. With the arrival of American settlers, the Yokuts lost their ancestral lands, which were either given away by the government or sold to farmers and ranchers, sometimes as bounty for killing tribal members. By the end of the 19th century, the Tachi Yokut Tribe was scattered across central and southern California.
In the San Joaquin Valley, the Tachi Yokut people were forcibly marched from the valley to the foothills to make way for farmers and ranchers. When oil was discovered near Coalinga, they were marched back to a desolate area in the central valley, near the present location of the Santa Rosa Rancheria.
The Citizenship Act of 1924 granted American citizenship to all Indians while allowing them to retain their tribal citizenship. However, this act had little impact on the treatment of the Tachi Yokuts by the government. As part of an effort to assimilate them into white society, Yokut children were sent to government schools, their traditional religion was banned, and the teaching of their language and culture was strongly discouraged. This had a devastating impact on the community, leaving the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria with weakened ties to their past.
Despite these challenges, the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria has persevered. They have worked tirelessly to reclaim their cultural heritage, strengthen their community, and build a brighter future for generations to come. The Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria’s ongoing efforts to revitalize their language, promote economic development, and preserve their traditions demonstrate their unwavering commitment to their identity and their place in the tapestry of California’s diverse cultures.