Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 181 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( California) |
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| Languages | |
| English, Pomoan languages | |
| Religion | |
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| Related ethnic groups | |
| Pomo tribes |
The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake is a federally recognized tribe of Pomo people. They live in Lake County, California. A federally recognized tribe means the United States government officially recognizes them as a Native American tribe.
The tribe's land is called the Upper Lake Rancheria. It is about 119 acres (0.48 square kilometers) in size. This land is located near the town of Upper Lake in northwestern California.
Contents
The Habematolel Pomo Tribe
A Look Back in Time
The Habematolel Pomo people have lived in California's Clear Lake Basin for a very long time. Scientists have found old tools and items from early Native Americans in this area. These items are about 8,000 years old. It is likely that the tribes lived there even earlier.
About 6,000 years ago, different tribes used the entire Clear Lake. They settled evenly around its shores. By the year 1800, there were an estimated 10,000 to 18,000 Pomo people in California. They belonged to about 70 different Pomo tribes. These tribes spoke seven different Pomo languages. The Habematolel Pomo were part of the Northern Pomo group. There were about 350 Northern Pomo people. The Habematolel Pomo spoke Northern and Eastern Pomo languages. Sadly, both of these languages are now considered extinct.
The Habematolel Pomo were known for their large trade networks. They traded materials like magnesite and obsidian with the Coast Miwok people. In return, they received different types of shells. Pomo people are also famous for their beautiful woven baskets. They also made amazing feather headdresses.
A Difficult Period
A very sad event happened in 1850. It is known as the Bloody Island Massacre. It took place on "Old Island" at the north end of Clear Lake. During this event, the 1st Dragoons US Cavalry killed almost 200 Pomo people. Most of them were women and children from the Clear Lake Pomo and nearby tribes.
In 1856, the US military gathered the Lake County Pomo people. They were forced to move to the Nome Cult Indian Farm. This farm was in Round Valley in northern Mendocino County. This area later became the Round Valley Indian Reservation.
Getting Their Land Back
Many non-Indian settlers were moving into the Pomo homelands. Because of this, four Pomo groups decided to work together. These groups were the Danoxa, Kaiyo-Matuku, Xowalek, and Yobotui. In 1878, they bought 90 acres (0.36 square kilometers) of land at Xabematolel. This community was named Habematolel in Upper Lake.
In 1907, the US federal government created the Upper Lake Rancheria for the tribe. This land was next to the land the tribe had bought. The reservation eventually grew to be 564 acres (2.28 square kilometers).
Later, the US government had a policy called the Termination and Relocation Policy. This policy aimed to make Native Americans join mainstream society. As part of this, the US government passed the California Rancheria Act of 1953. This law allowed the US to end its special relationship with the Habematolel Pomo. It also broke up the lands of the Upper Lake Rancheria into smaller pieces for individuals.
The tribe did not agree with this policy. In 1975, they filed a lawsuit called Upper Lake Pomo Association v. James Watt. They argued that the termination policy was illegal. In 1980, the Bureau of Indian Affairs helped the tribe elect a tribal council. This council started writing a new tribal constitution and rules. In 1983, the tribe won its case in federal court. Their federal recognition was officially restored in 1998. A new tribal council was elected that year. The tribe's current constitution was approved in 2004.
Life Today
Today, the Habematolel Pomo tribe is federally recognized. There are 191 enrolled members in the tribe. The Habematolel Pomo manage their own programs. These include housing, environmental protection, and education. They offer computer classes and help people prepare for their GED (General Educational Development) tests. The tribe has also been able to buy land in their traditional territory. This land is near the historic tribal village of Maiyi.
The Habematolel Pomo are led by an elected tribal council. This council has seven members. As of early 2009, the council members were:
- Sherry Treppa Bridges, Chairperson
- Angelina Arroyo, Vice-Chairperson
- Iris Picton, Secretary
- Kimberly Cobarrubia, Treasurer
- Ida Morrison, Member-at-Large
- Aaron Holstine, Member-At-Large
- Aimee Jackson, Member-at-Large.
