Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 1200 enrolled members (2010) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( California) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, Chukchansi | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional tribal religion, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Yokuts people |
The Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of California is a federally recognized tribe of indigenous people of California. They are part of the Chukchansi group, which belongs to the Foothills Yokuts people. The Picayune Rancheria was started in 1912. It is located in Coarsegold, California, and covers about 160 acres (0.65 km2) in Madera County. This land serves as the tribe's home.
The tribe has faced many challenges over time, including changes from European settlement and losing their land. To overcome these, they have worked hard to bring back their culture and improve their economy. A big step was opening the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in 2003. They also have projects to help the Chukchansi language stay alive and to keep their traditions strong.
The tribe's government is in Coarsegold and is led by a seven-member council. The Picayune Rancheria has also grown its businesses into areas like retail and construction.
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History of the Chukchansi People
The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians is connected to the Chukchansi Yokuts culture. These native people have lived in Central California for over 12,000 years. The Chukchansi homeland traditionally stretched from the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Fresno and Chowchilla River valleys. Today, many Chukchansi people live near their main tribal office in the Picayune Rancheria. This area is about 30 miles north of Fresno.
The Chukchansi language is part of the larger Yokuts language family. There were about 60 different tribes identified by experts, each with their own unique way of speaking. However, they all shared similar cultural traditions.
Life Before European Contact
Historically, the Chukchansi people were very skilled at using their natural surroundings. They farmed, hunted, and gathered food using clever methods. They hunted various animals for food and even used decoys to help them. Their diet also included plants, nuts, and seeds, especially acorns, which were plentiful in the summer. Fire was very important to their way of life. They used it for cooking, managing their land, and helping with hunting.
Challenges and Changes
After Europeans arrived, including Spanish missionaries and American settlers, the Chukchansi population faced big problems. Many people got sick, and they lost their land. This greatly reduced their numbers. The discovery of gold made things even harder, as they lost more land and rights under American rule.
In the early 1900s, the U.S. government set aside land for Native Californians who had lost theirs. These areas were called Rancherias. However, the Chukchansi tribe later lost their official recognition from the government and more land. In 1983, they were officially recognized again, but they still did not have their own land at first.
In recent years, the Chukchansi people have worked hard to get back their heritage and land. A major step was building the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino. This has helped them to improve their economy and bring back their culture.
Learning and Language Programs
The tribe strongly supports education. Since 2009, they have worked with Fresno State's Department of Linguistics. This partnership is part of the Chukchansi Yokuts Revitalization Project. Its goal is to save their language, which has very few native speakers left. In 2012, the tribe gave $1 million to the university to help preserve the language.
The tribe also created the Picayune Rancheria Chukchansi Scholarship at Fresno State. This scholarship helps students who are interested in Native American culture. The tribe offers many other educational programs, scholarships, and internships for its members. They believe that early education is very important for Native American children and families. They focus on keeping and sharing their cultural heritage through these programs.
The Picayune Rancheria Home
The Picayune Rancheria was established in 1912. It is about 160 acres (647,497 m2) in size. You can find it in Madera County, near Coarsegold, California. The community of Yosemite Lakes is also close by.
Tribal Businesses and Economy
The tribe runs the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino and its restaurants in Coarsegold. They also own the naming rights to Chukchansi Park in Fresno.
- MightyOak Capital is a company that invests in different businesses and real estate in Central California. They focus on investments, buying and selling companies, and developing properties.
- Mighty Builders started in 1987. It is a leading construction company in Central California and the U.S. They specialize in building projects for Native American communities and self-storage facilities. They have licenses in California, Nevada, and Hawaii.
- Yosemite Lumber was founded in 1953. It is a main supplier of wood and building materials in Central California. They sell to both commercial and home builders.
- Chukchansi Crossing is a planned development on Highway 41, close to the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino. It will have restaurants, shops, and a modern gas station and travel center. It will also promote products made by Native Americans.
- Blue King Inc. is a company owned by the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians. It operates as a tribal lending business. This means it follows the laws and rules of the tribe.
- Willow Glen Smoke Shop was started in 2011 by Chukchansi Inc. It is a tribal-owned store that sells Native American tobacco products in California.
- Sportsmen's Den is a business that deals with firearms. It has a special license for this. It operates in Oakhurst and Mariposa, California.
- FOI Commercial Interiors was bought by the Chukchansi Indian Tribe in 2010. This business helps with interior design and client services. It fits with the tribe's values and helps them grow their business opportunities.
Local Schools
Children living on the ranchería attend schools in the Coarsegold Union Elementary School District and the Yosemite Joint Union High School District.
