Big Valley Rancheria facts for kids
The Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians of the Big Valley Rancheria is an officially recognized Native American tribe. They are made up of Pomo and Pit River Indian people. Their special land, called a rancheria, is in Lake County, California, near Finley. The tribe manages its daily business from Lakeport, California.
The tribe set up its current government system under a special law called the Indian Reorganization Act in 1935. They approved their own set of rules, or constitution, on January 15, 1936. To become a member of the tribe, you need to be a descendant of the people listed on the official 1935 census records. Today, about 225 people are members of the tribe.
The traditional language of the tribe is Eastern Pomo, also known as Bahtssal. It's also called Clear Lake Pomo. The tribe works hard to keep their language alive. They offer Eastern Pomo language classes and bring together older tribal members with younger ones for lessons. They also record elders speaking the language using audio and video.
The tribe has created ways to support itself financially. They own the Konocti Vista Casino, which is located near Lakeport, right by Clear Lake. As part of the casino resort, the Big Valley Band also owns a hotel, a marina (a place for boats), an RV park for campers, the Ku-Hu-Gui Cafe, and the Point Bar.
The tribe holds an exciting annual Tule Boat Festival. This festival includes building boats, learning about the environment, and races between different tribes.
39°01′13″N 122°53′14″W / 39.020364°N 122.887141°W
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Language and Culture
The Big Valley Pomo tribe speaks the Eastern Pomo Language, also known as Bahtssal. This language was once spoken in areas next to where the Patwin and Yuki languages were used. Today, only a few people speak Eastern Pomo fluently. The tribe is working hard to bring their language back and make sure it continues to be spoken.
The Tule Boat Festival
The tribe also hosts an annual Tule Boat Festival. This festival started in 2001 and has been held for over 15 years. It celebrates the tradition of gathering natural materials, building special boats from reeds called "tule," and bringing the community together. The festival teaches everyone about their heritage. It includes many racing teams and different groups, so everyone in the community can join in the fun.
How They Support Their Community
The Big Valley Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians is a tribe that supports itself. They create many opportunities to help their tribal community. These include job opportunities, chances to volunteer, special programs for tribal youth, housing, and transportation.
Konocti Vista Casino
The tribe also owns a casino called Konocti Vista Casino, along with a hotel, an RV park, and a campground. These businesses help the tribe create jobs and provide services for their members and visitors.
Education for Kids
The children living on the rancheria attend schools in the Lakeport Unified School District.
