The Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians of the Big Valley Rancheria is a federally recognized

tribe The term tribe is used in many different contexts to refer to a category of human social group. The predominant worldwide usage of the term in English language, English is in the discipline of anthropology. This definition is contested, in p ...

Pomo The Pomo are an Indigenous people of California. Historical Pomo territory in Northern California was large, bordered by the Pacific Coast to the west, extending inland to Clear Lake, and mainly between Cleone and Duncans Point. One small grou ...

and Pit River Indians, with a reservation located in

Lake County, California Lake County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 68,163. The county seat is Lakeport. The county takes its name from Clear Lake, the dominant geographic fe ...

, near the town of Finley.California Indians and Their Reservations.
''San Diego State University Library and Information Access.'' 2009 (retrieved 24 Feb 2009) They conduct tribal business from

Lakeport, California Lakeport is an incorporated city and the county seat of Lake County, California. This city is northwest of Sacramento. Lakeport is on the western shore of the county namesake, Clear Lake, at an elevation of . The population was 5,026 at the 202 ...

. The tribe formed its current governmental system under the

Indian Reorganization Act The Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) of June 18, 1934, or the Wheeler–Howard Act, was U.S. federal legislation that dealt with the status of American Indians in the United States. It was the centerpiece of what has been often called the "Indian ...

of 1935 and ratified its constitution on 15 January 1936. Tribal membership is open to any descendant of the tribal members listed on the official 1935 census rolls, regardless of

blood quantum Blood quantum laws or Indian blood laws are laws in the United States that define Native American status by fractions of Native American ancestry. These laws were enacted by the federal government and state governments as a way to establ ...

. Today tribal enrollment is estimated to be 225. The traditional language of the tribe is

Eastern Pomo Eastern Pomo, also known as Clear Lake Pomo, is a nearly extinct Pomoan language spoken around Clear Lake in Lake County, California by one of the Pomo peoples. It is not mutually intelligible with the other Pomoan languages. Before contact wi ...

, also known as Bahtssal or Clear Lake Pomo. The tribe has been able to hold Eastern Pomo language classes, bring together elders with younger tribal members for lessons, and document elders speaking both in audio and video recordings. Economic development for the tribe has been possible through the creation of the Konocti Vista Casino, which is located near Lakeport, on the shores of Clear Lake. The Big Valley Band also owns a hotel,

marina A marina (from Spanish , Portuguese and Italian : ''marina'', "coast" or "shore") is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats. A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships o ...

RV park A recreational vehicle park (RV park) or caravan park is a place where people with recreational vehicles can stay overnight, or longer, in allotted spaces known as "sites" or "campsites". They are also referred to as campgrounds, though a true ...

, the Ku-Hu-Gui Cafe, and the Point Bar as part of the

casino resort A casino hotel is an establishment consisting of a casino with temporary lodging provided in an on-premises hotel. Customers receive the benefits of both gambling facilities and lodging. Since the casino and hotel are located on the same premis ...

. The tribe has an annual Tule Boat Festival with boat building, environmental programs and races among the participating tribes.

Government

Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians is a self-governing Native American tribe, with four active members on tribal council. Council positions include; Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary. The tribe is federally recognized, with an estimated 696 members. Tribal government has the power to write and enforce its own ordinances; such as, regulation of commerce, tax, and set up judiciary and police enforcement systems and other powers delegated to local government. The tribe often models its own government after that of the local county government. Being that the tribe is in close proximity to the ocean, they work closely with the

EPA The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it be ...

to ensure that their lands are maintained. http://www.courts.ca.gov/14938.htm

Language and Traditions

The tribe speaks Eastern Pomo Language also known as Bahtssal, which was bordered by

Patwin The Patwin (also Patween, Southern Wintu) are a band of Wintun people native to the area of Northern California. The Patwin comprise the southern branch of the Wintun group, native inhabitants of California since approximately 500 AD. The Patwi ...

and Yuki languages. Very few fluent speakers remain. The tribe is providing continuous efforts to revitalize and maintain their language. Further history of language can be foun
here
The tribe also participates in an annual Tule Boat Festival, which began in 2001 and is now on its 15th year. The festival exhibits the tradition of gathering supplies, building the boat, and ultimately uniting a community to come together and teach those around them. The festival includes multiple racing teams and divisions, providing an opportunity for all community members to race.

Economic Development

Big Valley Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians is a self-sustaining tribe. They offer many opportunities to support their tribal community; such as job opportunities, volunteer hours, tribal youth programs, housing, transportation and more. The tribe also owns
casino
hotel, RV park, camp ground, and smoke shop.

Education

The ranchería is served by the

Lakeport Unified School District Lakeport may refer to: Places in the United States * Lakeport, Arkansas * Lakeport, California * Lakeport, Florida * Lakeport, Michigan * Lakeport, New Hampshire * Lakeport, New York, a hamlet in the town of Sullivan, New York * Lakeport, Texas * ...

References

External links

Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians
{{authority control Native American tribes in California Geography of Lake County, California Pomo tribe Federally recognized tribes in the United States American Indian reservations in California 1936 establishments in California