Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| almost 500 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( California) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, Pomoan languages | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Pomo tribes |
The Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California is a Native American tribe. They are a federally recognized tribe of Pomo Indians. This means the United States government officially recognizes them as a sovereign nation. The tribe lives in California.
The Cloverdale Rancheria is currently considered "landless." This means they do not have their own land held in a special government trust. In 2008, they bought about 80 acres of land near Cloverdale, California. This land is now going through a process called "Fee to Trust." This process will make the land officially belong to the tribe.
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Who Are the Pomo People?
The Cloverdale Rancheria is a community of Pomo Indians. The Pomo people are native to the area that is now called Sonoma County in northern California. Long ago, they spoke the Southern Pomo language.
Pomo culture was very rich. Making baskets was a very important part of their lives. Both men and women were skilled at weaving baskets. A famous Pomo basket weaver named Elsie Allen spent part of her childhood on the Cloverdale Rancheria. Her mother, Annie Burke, was also a Cloverdale Pomo.
A Look Back: History of the Cloverdale Pomo
The first non-Native people to come to Pomo land were Russian fur traders. This was in the late 1700s. They built a place called Fort Ross in 1812. They hunted sea otters there.
Later, in the mid-1800s, the California Gold Rush began. Many European-Americans came to the region. This greatly changed the lives of the Pomo tribes. Their traditional lands were also harmed.
Rancherias and Government Changes
In the early 1900s, the U.S. government created "rancherias." These were small reservations for Native Americans in California who had lost their land. In 1921, the U.S. government recognized the Cloverdale Rancheria. They gave the tribe about 27.5 acres of land.
However, in 1953, a law called the California Rancheria Act was passed. This law divided the rancheria lands into smaller pieces for individual families. This act also ended the official relationship between the U.S. government and the Cloverdale Rancheria. This happened to 43 other California tribes as well.
Fighting for Recognition
A Pomo woman named Tillie Hardwick (1924–1999) fought for her people. In 1979, she sued the United States government. She challenged the California Rancheria Act and the policy that ended tribal recognition.
In 1983, Tillie Hardwick won her lawsuit. This victory was very important. It helped 17 California tribes, including the Cloverdale Rancheria, get their federal recognition back.
Challenges with Land
In 1994, the tribe faced another challenge. The California Department of Transportation needed land for a new highway. This highway, U.S. Route 101, went right through the middle of the rancheria. The tribal landowners had to sell their land. This made much of their reservation land impossible to live on.
Cloverdale Pomo Today
Even with many challenges, the Cloverdale Rancheria is working hard. They are dedicated to keeping their traditional culture alive. They want to pass it on to future generations. In 2006, a traditional dance group was formed. Its goal is to teach Pomo dances to the young people.
The tribe has elected leaders who guide their community. The current leaders are:
- Patricia Hermosillo, Chairperson
- Silver Galleto, Vice Chairman
- Maria Elliott, Tribal Secretary
- Vickey Macias, Tribal Treasurer
- Sandra Roope, Tribal Representative
