California Valley Miwok Tribe facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 43 people reported as being part of the California Valley Miwok Tribe (some in combination with other ethnicities) in the 2010 census 5 enrolled citizens were recognized by the federal government as of August 2011 |
|
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( California) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, historically Northern Sierra Miwok language, Central Sierra Miwok language, and Southern Sierra Miwok language | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Miwok tribes |
The California Valley Miwok Tribe is a federally recognized tribe of Miwok people. This means the United States government officially recognizes them as a Native American tribe. They live in San Joaquin County and Calaveras County, California.
In the past, they were known by other names like the Sheep Ranch Rancheria or the Sheep Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indian of California. The California Valley Miwok are part of the Sierra Miwok group, who are Indigenous people of California.
A Look Back: The Tribe's History
The number of people in the California Valley Miwok Tribe was quite small for a long time. In 1916, the government bought a small piece of land, about 0.92 acres, in Sheep Ranch, California. This land was for 12 specific members of the tribe.
An Indian agent, who helped with the purchase, described them as "the last remaining members of a once much larger group of Native Americans." This group used to live near an old mining town called 'Sheepranch'.
In 1935, records show that only one Native American, Jeff Davis, lived on the ranchería (the tribal land). Jeff Davis had voted to support the Indian Reorganization Act in 1912. This act was a big step for Native American tribes to govern themselves.
By 1966, Mabel Hodge Dixie was identified as the only adult tribal member living on the ranchería. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), a government agency, had a plan to give the tribe's property to her. This was under a law from 1958. However, the BIA never officially ended the tribe's recognition. Later, in 1994, Mabel's son, Yakima Dixie, said he was the only living descendant and recognized member of the tribe.
Who Leads the Tribe? Disputes Since 1999
Since the late 1990s, there has been a long disagreement about who should lead the California Valley Miwok Tribe. There were also questions about who should be a member.
In 1998, Yakima Dixie accepted Silvia Burley as a tribe member. Her two daughters and granddaughter also joined. Silvia Burley showed that she was related to Jeff Davis, who was a key member of the tribe in 1913. She had contacted Yakima Dixie after the Bureau of Indian Affairs suggested it.
At that time, the tribe was not formally "organized" under the Indian Reorganization Act. Because the tribe was small, the BIA suggested they form a "general council." This is a simpler way for all adult members to make decisions together.
A general council was formed in November 1998. But by late 1999, a disagreement started between Silvia Burley and Yakima Dixie. For many years, both sides asked the BIA to help. They each claimed the other was not including all tribal members in decisions.
For a long time, the BIA felt it had to get involved. They tried to decide which decisions were valid and who should lead the tribe. But in December 2010, the BIA changed its mind completely. They decided they did not have to represent people who might become tribe members. This meant the BIA would no longer get involved in the tribe's internal disagreements.
The BIA warned that "continuing this unwise dispute risks problems for the Tribe and its descendants." They also said it would be "fair" for the tribe to reach out to potential members. But they made it clear that the government would not force this. This decision was confirmed in August 2011 by Larry Echo Hawk, a high-ranking official in Indian Affairs.
Tribal Funds and Legal Challenges
The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) gave the tribe money from a special fund. This fund comes from tribal casinos. From July 2000 to August 2005, the tribe received about $1.1 million each year.
When the BIA got involved in the tribe's leadership dispute, the CGCC stopped sending the money. Instead, they held the funds in trust. In 2007, the commission said they would release the money once the BIA recognized a clear leader. They also wanted the tribe to solve its leadership problems.
However, even after the BIA recognized Silvia Burley as the tribe's chair in 2011, the money was not released. This led Silvia Burley to take the commission to court.
A person named Chadd Everone, who works with Yakima Dixie, has also gone to court. He wants to stop the money from going to Silvia Burley's group. He claims that Yakima Dixie never stepped down as the tribe's chair.
Silvia Burley's group has stated in court papers that they believe Chadd Everone is influencing Yakima Dixie. They claim he wants to use the tribe's gaming money to attract investors for a casino project. They also suggest that Everone wants to control the tribe, with Dixie as a "puppet" leader.
