Northfork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California facts for kids
The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California is a special group of Native Americans called the Mono people. They are a "federally recognized tribe," which means the United States government officially recognizes them as a self-governing nation. Their home is a place called the North Fork Rancheria reservation, located in Madera County, California. The Mono people call themselves "Nium."
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About the North Fork Mono Tribe
The North Fork Mono people are part of the Western Mono Indians. Their traditional home has always been in the southern foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. They have lived there for a very long time.
Their Language and Stories
The language spoken by the Mono people is called the Mono language. It belongs to a larger group of languages known as the Paiute language family. The Mono people share their history and important lessons through "oral history," which means they tell stories and traditions by speaking them, passing them down from older generations to younger ones. These stories are part of their Mono traditional narratives.
Joining the Tribe
The North Fork Mono tribe has rules about who can join their community. According to their rules from 1996, people who are direct descendants of the North Fork Mono can become members. Today, there are about 1,800 members, making them one of the largest Native American tribes in California!
Their Home: The Rancheria
The North Fork Rancheria is the tribe's special land. It covers about 80 acres (which is about 320,000 square meters). This land is located right next to the western edge of the Sierra National Forest. It's about 50 miles (or 80 kilometers) northeast of a city called Fresno, California. The main offices for the tribe are in a town called North Fork in Madera County, California.
Other Mono Tribes
Besides the North Fork Rancheria, there are other Mono tribes that are also officially recognized by the government. These include the Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation, the Cold Springs Rancheria of Mono Indians of California, and the Big Sandy Rancheria of Mono Indians of California. Each of these tribes has its own unique history and community.
Education for Tribal Members
Children and young people living on the North Fork Rancheria attend local schools. They are served by the Chawanakee Joint Elementary School District for younger students and the Sierra High School Joint Union High School District for older students.
