Koi Nation facts for kids
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 United States ( California) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, traditionally Southeastern Pomo | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Pomo peoples |
The Koi Nation of Northern California is a Native American tribe. They are part of the Southeastern Pomo people. The U.S. government officially recognizes them. Their name comes from their traditional village, Koi. This village was once on an island in Clear Lake.
The word "Koi" means "people of water." The Koi people lived on islands in Clear Lake, California. They also traveled to the California coast at different times of the year. For thousands of years, the Koi Nation lived in this area. They kept their unique culture and controlled their lands.
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History of the Koi Nation
The Koi people are part of the Southeastern Pomo. They have lived in north-central California for thousands of years. They traditionally fished, hunted, and gathered food.
Early Challenges for the Koi People
In the 1800s, many European-Americans moved onto Pomo lands. The U.S. government signed treaties with the Pomo in 1851–1852. These treaties were meant to define Pomo territory. However, Congress never officially approved them.
In 1856, many Pomo people were forced to move. They were sent to a reservation in Mendocino County. But the Koi people stayed on their island in Clear Lake.
By 1871, European-Americans had burned and destroyed Koi homes. Diseases, forced labor, and violence greatly reduced their population. By the early 1900s, most tribal members lived near Santa Rosa, Windsor, and Sebastopol. In 2021, the Koi Nation had 90 members. Most of them lived in Sonoma County.
Official Recognition of the Tribe
The Koi Nation became an officially recognized tribe in 1916. That year, the government bought 140 acres of land. This land was called Purvis Flats. It was near the town of Clearlake in Lake County. The government named it the Lower Lake Rancheria.
An official from the Bureau of Indian Affairs called the land "a rock pile." It remained empty for many years. A few Native American families moved there in the 1940s. By 1950, seven tribal families lived on the rancheria.
In 1953, Lake County wanted the land for an airport. At that time, only Harry Johnson and his wife Isabella lived on Purvis Flats. In 1956, a special law gave 99 acres to the county for the airport. The remaining 41 acres became the Johnsons' private property.
The tribe's official status was ended on March 29, 1956. This was part of a government plan called the Indian termination policy. This policy aimed to end the official status of many Native American tribes.
The Koi tribe believed they were never officially terminated. They worked for years to get their status back. On December 29, 2000, the Bureau of Indian Affairs recognized the tribe again. They said there had been "oversights in official records." At that time, the tribe had 53 members, mostly children.
Gaming and Economic Plans
In California, tribes with gaming (casino) operations pay into a special fund. This fund gives money to other federally recognized tribes. These are tribes that have fewer than 350 gaming machines. The Koi Nation started receiving payments in 2001. By June 30, 2021, they had received over $21 million.
Gaming Eligibility
The Koi Nation has worked to gain approval for gaming on their lands. In 2008, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) reviewed their plans. The NIGC Chairman said that the Secretary of the Interior makes decisions about tribal recognition.
In 2017, the Department of the Interior (DOI) said the tribe was not eligible for a gaming exception. However, in January 2019, a U.S. District Court ruled that the tribe was indeed eligible.
Future Casino Plans
The Koi Nation has explored different locations for a casino resort.
Oakland Proposal
In 2005, the tribe announced plans for a casino resort near the Oakland International Airport. This project was called the Crystal Bay Casino, Resort & Spa. It was expected to create thousands of jobs. It would also bring a lot of money to the local economy. The tribe offered to pay the city for services like police and fire protection. However, the tribe dropped these plans due to community opposition.
Vallejo Proposal
In late 2014, the tribe was one of several groups interested in a site in Vallejo, California. This site was part of the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard. The tribe partnered with the Cordish Company for an $850 million project. They promised to pay Vallejo between $10 million and $20 million a year. This project would also create many jobs. In January 2015, the Vallejo City Council rejected all casino proposals for the site. They decided to focus on industrial projects instead.
Sonoma County Proposal
In September 2021, the tribe announced a new plan. They bought a 68-acre vineyard site in Sonoma County for $12.3 million. This land is near Windsor, California and Santa Rosa. The tribe plans to build a $600 million casino resort there.
The tribe has asked the federal government to place the land into trust. This would make it eligible for casino construction. The resort would be very large, about 1.2 million square feet. It is expected to have about 2,000 employees.
In January 2022, the tribe announced a partnership with the Chickasaw Nation. The Chickasaw Nation is a larger tribe that owns many casinos in Oklahoma. A Chickasaw business will manage and operate the proposed resort. In February 2022, the tribe also made an agreement with the Northern California Carpenters Union. The resort plans include 2,500 gaming machines, a 400-room hotel, restaurants, a meeting center, a spa, and an entertainment venue.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is reviewing the environmental impact of the project. In March 2024, the BIA decided that a full environmental impact statement (EIS) was needed. This is a more detailed environmental review. The tribe also needs to negotiate a gaming compact with the state of California.
