Fort Bidwell Indian Community of the Fort Bidwell Reservation of California facts for kids
The Fort Bidwell Indian Community of the Fort Bidwell Reservation of California is a federally recognized tribe. This means the United States government officially recognizes them as a Native American tribe. They are part of the Northern Paiute group. Their home is in Modoc County, which is in the very northeast corner of California.
Contents
About the Fort Bidwell Community
In 1969, about 112 people were part of the Fort Bidwell Indian Community. The main tribe here is the Paiute. To help their community grow and manage itself, they created their own rules and a constitution. This was done with help from the Indian Reorganization Act. This act allowed Native American tribes to form their own governments and manage their lands.
The Fort Bidwell Reservation
The Fort Bidwell Indian Community has its own special land called the Fort Bidwell Reservation. It's located in Modoc County, close to the town of Fort Bidwell, California. The reservation is about 3,335 acres (which is about 13.5 square kilometers) in size.
This reservation was officially set up in 1897. Today, around 108 tribal members live on the reservation. The people who live here are part of the Northern Paiute Kidütökadö band. This name means 'Yellow-bellied marmot-Eaters'.
Language and Communication
The people of the Fort Bidwell Indian Community traditionally speak the Northern Paiute language. This language is part of a larger group called the Uto-Aztecan language family. Specifically, it's in the Western Numic branch.
The word "Numic" comes from a word in all Numic languages that means "person." The Northern Paiute language is still used today, and many people in Fort Bidwell speak it fluently. It is very similar to the Mono language spoken in California.
Community Activities
The Fort Bidwell Indian Community enjoys many activities. Sometimes, they have marksmanship competitions, which are like target practice. They also have large areas of land used for farming, so agriculture is an important activity for many people.
Celebrations at the Fort Bidwell Indian Reservation are often filled with drumming and family fun. Vendors at these events sell things like food, artwork, and supplies for beading. Dancing is also a popular activity, and women often wear beautiful, fancy shawls when they dance.
How the Community is Governed
The Fort Bidwell Indian Community has its own government. It was officially set up on January 28, 1936, under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. The tribe has about 350 members in total, with around 160 currently living on the reservation.
The tribe's main office is in Fort Bidwell, California. Their government is led by a tribal council, which has nine members. There is also a chairman, a vice chairman, a treasurer, and a secretary who help lead the community.
The Fort Bidwell area is also part of larger political districts. In the state government, it's in the 1st Senate District and the 1st Assembly District. For the national government, it's in California's 1st congressional district.
Fort Bidwell is recognized as California Historical Landmark #430. This means it's an important historical site in California.
Education
Children living on the Fort Bidwell Reservation attend schools served by the Surprise Valley Joint Unified School District.
