The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria is a federally recognized tribe with members who are descendants of Chetco, Hupa,

Karuk The Karuk people are an indigenous people of California, and the Karuk Tribe is one of the largest tribes in California. Karuks are also enrolled in two other federally recognized tribes, the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad ...

Tolowa The Tolowa people or Taa-laa-wa Dee-ni’ are a Native American people of the Athabaskan-speaking ethno-linguistic group. Two rancherias (Smith River and Elk Valley) still reside in their traditional territory in northwestern California. Tho ...

Wiyot The Wiyot ( Wiyot: Wíyot, Chetco-Tolowa: Wee-’at xee-she or Wee-yan’ Xee-she’, Euchre Creek Tututni: Wii-yat-dv-ne - "Mad River People“, Yurok: Weyet) are an indigenous people of California living near Humboldt Bay, California and a s ...

, and

Yurok people The Yurok ( Karuk language: Yurúkvaarar / Yuru Kyara - "downriver Indian; i.e. Yurok Indian") are an Indigenous people from along the Klamath River and Pacific coast, whose homelands are located in present-day California stretching from Trini ...

in Humboldt County, California. As of the 2010 Census the population was 132.

Government

The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community is headquartered in

Trinidad, California Trinidad ( Spanish for "Trinity"; Yurok: ''Chuerey'') is a seaside city in Humboldt County, located on the Pacific Ocean north of the Arcata-Eureka Airport and north of the college town of Arcata. Trinidad is noted for its coastline with te ...

."Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria."
''United Indian Health Services''. Retrieved 25 June 2012. In 1961, the tribe organized under the Articles of Association. In June 2008, a new Constitution was ratified, replaced the Articles of Association."Tribal Council."
''Trinidad Rancheria''. 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012. The tribe is governed by a democratically elected five-person community council. The current tribal administration is as follows. * Chairman: Garth Sundberg * Vice Chairman: Zack Brown * Secretary / Treasurer: Trina Mathewson * Council Member Seat #1: James Brown Jr. * Council Member Seat #2: Robert Hemsted

Reservation

The Trinidad Rancheria () is a federally recognized

ranchería The Spanish word ranchería, or rancherío, refers to a small, rural settlement. In the Americas the term was applied to native villages or bunkhouses. Anglo-Americans adopted the term with both these meanings, usually to designate the resident ...

occupying three parcels of land with a total area of over . in Humboldt County. It was established in 1906 to house homeless local

California Indians The indigenous peoples of California (known as Native Californians) are the indigenous inhabitants who have lived or currently live in the geographic area within the current boundaries of California before and after the arrival of Europeans. ...

. An additional of land was purchased for the rancheria in 1908. The Rancheria's lands are within Yurok ancestral territory.

Economic development

The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community owns and operates the Cher-Ae Heights Casino, Sunrise Deli, Seascape Restaurant, Trinidad pier, Sunset Restaurant, Firewater Lounge, and all are located in Trinidad."Cher-Ae Heights Casino."
''500 Nations.'' Retrieved 25 June 2012.

Culture

The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria is a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe. They are a tribe of historic Yurok Origin and have tribal member families who are direct lineal descendants of Yurok villages. They continue to practice their culture and preserve their language, and are actively involved in traditional ceremonies.

Education

The ranchería is served by the

Trinidad Union Elementary School District Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The island lies off the northeastern coast of Venezuela and sits on the continental shelf of South America. It is often referred to as the southernmo ...

and

Northern Humboldt Union High School District Northern Humboldt Union High School District is a public school district in Humboldt County, California, United States. The Northern Humboldt Union High School District operates two four-year high schools, Arcata High School and McKinleyville H ...

Notes

References

* Pritzker, Barry M. ''A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and Peoples''. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

External links

Trinidad Rancheria
official website {{DEFAULTSORT:Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria Native American tribes in California Federally recognized tribes in the United States Hupa Karuk Tolowa Wiyot tribe Yurok Native Americans in Humboldt County, California Populated coastal places in California