Greenville Rancheria of Maidu Indians facts for kids
 |
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 144 enrolled members, 22 rancheria population (2011) |
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| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( California) |
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| Languages | |
| English, Maidu | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Maidu people |
The Greenville Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California is a federally recognized tribe of Maidu people. This means the United States government officially recognizes them as a Native American tribe. They live in Plumas and Tehama Counties, California.
Contents
Where the Tribe Lives
The Greenville Rancheria is a special area of land, like a small reservation, that is officially recognized by the government. It covers about 51 acres. You can find it in Plumas County, just east of a town called Greenville.
A Look at Their History
Early Days and Challenges
In the late 1800s, the land that became the Greenville Rancheria was given as a safe place for Native American people. This was a time when many Native Americans faced challenges from new settlers. From 1890 to 1920, there was a boarding school on this land for Maidu and other California tribes. Sadly, the school burned down in 1920. Later, this land became a "rancheria," which means the federal government held it in trust for the Maidu tribe.
Losing and Regaining Recognition
In 1958, the tribe faced a big challenge. Because of a law called the California Rancheria Act, the tribe lost its official federal recognition. This meant the government no longer recognized them as a tribe, and their land lost its special rancheria status. This caused many people to lose their land, and the Maidu community of Greenville Rancheria faced very difficult times.
But the tribe did not give up! In the late 1970s, the Greenville Rancheria and 16 other tribes took legal action against the government. They argued that their recognition had been taken away unfairly. Their hard work paid off in 1983 with a decision known as the Tillie-Hardwick ruling. Thanks to this ruling, the tribes officially regained their federal recognition. The original boundaries of the Greenville Rancheria were restored and recognized as "Indian Country."
Building a New Future
After regaining recognition, the tribe faced new challenges. Many members had moved to the City of Red Bluff in Tehama County, so their lands were spread out. This made it hard to set up a new government. However, in 1988, the tribe successfully elected its first Tribal Council since regaining federal recognition. Today, the tribe runs medical clinics that provide healthcare to tribal members and other people in the area who need it.
Protecting Culture and Traditions
The Greenville Rancheria has a Cultural Department. Its main job is to protect important sacred sites, tribal cultures, languages, customs, and beliefs. They work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to check areas where new buildings might be planned. This helps make sure that places important to their culture are not harmed. The department is also starting a native plant garden. This garden will provide traditional foods and medicines for tribal members.
Protecting Ancestral Heritage
There is a long history of Native American human remains and cultural objects not being treated with respect. To help stop this, a law called the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was created. This law helps protect these important items. The Sierra Nevada NAGPRA Coalition (SNNC) works with tribes to make sure that decisions about ancestral remains and cultural objects are made by the tribe itself. In 2006, the Greenville Rancheria received a grant to help train people about NAGPRA and create a plan for handling ancestral remains in their region.
Caring for the Environment
Greenville Rancheria has its own Tribal Environmental Protection Agency. This agency works to protect all natural resources. Their goal is to help the environment heal and stay healthy without harm from human activities.
Air and Water Quality
The environmental staff also works with the "Region 9 EPA Air Work Group." They make sure the air quality in the Greenville Rancheria area is good. They also work with the Plumas County Public Health Department to check air quality during construction projects.
Regular tests are done to make sure the drinking water is clean and safe. The environmental staff attends trainings to stay updated on the best ways to keep the region's drinking water, surface water, and groundwater safe.
Protecting Land and Sites
The environmental staff reviews plans for cutting down trees (timber harvesting). They make sure these plans won't harm Native American cultural and spiritual sites or affect water quality.
Using maps and special computer data (GIS) is very important for the environmental staff. This helps them know exactly where cultural sites, sensitive animal habitats, and watercourses are located when they review project plans.
