Reno-Sparks Indian Colony facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
Indian reservation
Location of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
Country	United States
State	Nevada
Website	Reno-Sparks Indian Colony

The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in Nevada was created in the early 1900s. It was formed by members of different tribes who moved near Reno to find work. In 1934, they became a federally recognized tribe. This means the United States government officially recognizes them as a sovereign nation. They formed their own government under a law called the Indian Reorganization Act.

The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) is based in Reno, Nevada. It has 1,134 members from three Great Basin tribes. These tribes are the Paiute, the Shoshone, and the Washoe. The original land for the Colony was small, only 28 acres in central-west Reno. In 1984, another 1,920 acres were set aside for the tribe in Hungry Valley. This area is about 19 miles north of the main Colony.

In November 2016, the Barack Obama government transferred 13,400 acres of land to the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony. This land used to belong to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This transfer happened because of the Nevada Native Nations Lands Act. This law allowed over 71,000 acres of land to be given to six Nevada tribes. This helps the tribes have more stable places to live and grow. It also helps protect animals and natural resources.

The RSIC uses both old traditions and modern business ways. They also use modern government practices. The tribe employs over 300 people. About half of these employees are members of the tribe.

History of the Great Basin Tribes

The people who lived in the Great Basin before Europeans arrived were the Numa or Numu (Northern Paiute), the Washeshu (Washoe), and the Newe (Shoshone). There were also the Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute). In their own languages, these groups called themselves "The People."

Tribal groups were often known by names related to where they lived or what they ate. For example, the Agai Ticutta were "trout eaters" near the Walker River. The Toi Ticutta were "tule eaters" near the Stillwater Marshes. These groups still honor their connection to the Earth and its natural cycles.

Traditional Life and Migration

Traditionally, The People lived a well-planned life. It was based on their surroundings and nature. They knew what the land offered, which was key to survival. So, The People moved strategically throughout the year. They followed food sources. Over time, each group became a strong social and economic unit. They lived comfortably on the land.

The Numu lived in cycles with the seasons. They occupied areas now known as Western Nevada, Eastern Nevada, Eastern Oregon, and Southern Idaho. The Washeshu gathered every year at Lake Tahoe. They then spread out for hundreds of miles for the rest of the year. The Newe were found in what is now Eastern Nevada, Utah, and Southern California. The Nuwuvi lived in the Colorado River Basin. There, they grew corn, squash, beans, and wheat.

Typical homes at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in the early 1900s

Each group believed that animals were important for food and wisdom. The animals also taught them about creation and how to live. Each group spoke a different language. Washo is from the Hokoan language family. The other languages are from the Uto-Aztecan family. They generally lived peacefully with other tribes. Each tribe had its own territory for finding resources. A lot of trade happened among the original inhabitants of the continent. Conflicts usually happened if one group took resources from another.

Early History and European Contact

Archaeological findings show that the first people lived in Nevada about 10,000 years ago. In 1994, the Nevada State Museum used Radiocarbon dating on remains found in 1940 near Fallon. This showed that the Spirit Cave mummy lived in the area over 9,400 years ago.

Indian land in the Great Basin was one of the last areas explored by European-Americans. Because of this, The People kept their way of life longer than most tribes elsewhere. When Europeans first met indigenous peoples in Nevada, many other tribes had already faced big changes. The U.S. government had changed its policies toward American Indians several times.

From 1492 to 1828, during the Colonial Period, Indians were treated as independent nations. Many treaties were made with France and England. These countries saw that Indian tribes had their own governments, leaders, and homelands.

Around 1830, the Spanish Trail opened in southern Nevada. Explorers and trappers came into the dry landscape. At first, many tribal groups were curious about these newcomers. The People tried to build relationships with them. But over time, living together became difficult.

Spanish records do not show much about explorers in Washo territory. But The People's oral history tells of encounters. Non-Indians were first recorded in Washo lands in 1826. The Shoshone and Northern Paiute also met non-Indians around this time.

The explorers and settlers did not understand how The People lived so well in this area. The People used seasonal foods and lived lightly on the land. Settlers struggled to start farms or ranches using their own methods.

The discovery of gold in California in 1848 brought huge changes. Thousands of miners and merchants came to the area.

Treaties and Land Changes

From 1778 to 1871, during the Treaty Period, the U.S. government made 370 treaties with Indian Tribes. These treaties often helped the people moving west, not the tribes. The only treaty that affected Great Basin Indians was the Treaty with the Western Shoshoni. This agreement of "Peace and Friendship" was approved in 1866.

By the mid-1800s, so many settlers lived on The People's land. The Indians struggled to find food. Within five years, about 250,000 people crossed Nevada. This movement greatly reduced the food supply. Even the introduction of horses to the Great Basin meant more competition for food for the Indians.

Cultural differences also grew. There was a big difference in how they saw land. Settlers believed in land ownership. This meant they would choose a place to live and stay there. The People used the land seasonally. They stayed in small areas for short times.

As The People struggled, the government changed its policy again. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 stopped future treaties with tribes. It gave Congress the power to separate The People. This was to allow economic growth across the United States. This was done by creating reservations.

The U.S. wanted to settle The People on reservations. This would remove their claim to other lands. It also aimed to make them adopt Western farming methods. This was to help them fit into the majority culture. The government believed separating The People would solve land disputes. It would also reduce tensions between cultures. Creating reservations was a promise of U.S. President Andrew Jackson. His government set aside "Indian Territory" west of the Mississippi River. This was far from the traditional homes of tribes in the Southeast and other areas.

In 1859, the Department of Interior suggested setting aside land for Indian use. This land was north of the Truckee River and included Pyramid Lake. An order was given in 1874 to create the Pyramid Lake Reservation. But its legal start year is 1859.

During the Reservation Period, Nevada gained residents. It was allowed to join the Union during the American Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln wanted to stop Confederate influence there. Even though the population was small, Nevada became a state in 1864.

In 1871, the Indian Appropriations Act gave the U.S. Congress the power to manage trade and affairs with Indian tribes. The U.S. Supreme Court called Indians "domestic dependent nations." This meant they were under the federal government's care.

In 1873, President Ulysses S. Grant created the Moapa River Paiute Reservation. He also created the Walker River Paiute Indian Reservation.

From 1887 to 1934, the U.S. government used the Dawes Act. This act gave 160-acre plots of land to registered members of Western reservations. These members were listed on what are called the Dawes Rolls. These lists are often important for proving tribal membership.

The Indian New Deal

In the early 1900s, the U.S. government studied Indian communities. The Meriam Report showed that the Dawes Act had failed. It found that most Indian people on reservations were very poor and unhealthy. They lived in simple homes and had few jobs. The report said that Indian societies could not thrive under these conditions. It suggested they should be encouraged to bring back their traditional governments.

To make things better, Congress passed the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. This happened during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's time. It was called the Indian New Deal. This act allowed tribes to organize their own governments. It also allowed them to manage their own trust land. This is how the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony was formed.

Focus on Numa and Washo

Around 1900, many Numa and Washo people lived in the Reno-Sparks area. This was their traditional homeland. Also, more and more Indians moved there to find jobs. Moving to colonies was a new way for Indians to adapt. Often, Indians not living on a reservation were called "scattered or homeless." These Indians tried to keep some of their old ways. They built traditional homes, sometimes with modern materials, in city camps. These camps were often near the Truckee River.

In 1917, the government bought 20 acres for $6,000. This was for non-reservation Indians in Nevada and for homeless Indians. This land is the main part of today's Colony. Most of the land was not good for farming. The BIA dug irrigation ditches for some drinking water. But most Indians got water from a spring about a quarter-mile away.

At first, the Numa lived on the north side of the Colony. The Washo lived on the south side. The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and all colonies received some government services. The Bureau of Indian Affairs usually oversaw them. For example, more land was bought in 1926 to improve the Colony's water supply. Also, from 1920 to 1930, a nurse and a police officer worked at the Colony. Their pay came from federal funds. In 1938, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a colony was like a reservation. This meant the federal government was in charge of the Colony.

An extra 8.38 acres were added to the Colony in 1926. This land cost about $4,000. It allowed for a day school. For many years, Colony children went to this local government school. This was instead of a boarding school about 40 miles away. However, the Colony school closed in the early 1940s because the building was in bad shape. The Indian children then had to go to public school.

In 1945, Grace Warner, the principal of Orvis Ring School, invited the Indian students to her school. This plan included busing the Colony students to Orvis Ring. This continued until 1975. Then, the public school system required Indian students to attend the school closest to the Colony.

Forming the Tribal Council

The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony formed its first official council in 1934. This was allowed under the Indian Reorganization Act. On February 9, 1934, the elected council included three Paiute members: Cleveland Cypher, Thomas Ochiho, and George Hooten. It also had three Washo members: Willie Tondy, Jack Mahoney, and George McGinnis. Harry Sampson was chosen as the Chairman of the Council.

The new council supported the Indian Reorganization Act. They wrote a letter to Nevada Senator Key Pitman. They said the act would help all Indians in the United States. Also, the new Colony leaders, with help from John H. Holst of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, held a vote. Colony residents strongly supported the act.

Five men: Sampson, Cypher, Mahoney, Tondy, and George Hunter, wrote a constitution for the Colony. George LaVatta, a Northern Shoshone from the Fort Hall Reservation, also helped. He worked as a federal government agent.

The Colony's constitution was approved on December 16, 1935. It passed with a vote of 51 to 1.

In 1936, the Colony tried to adopt a charter. But Alida Bowler, a BIA superintendent, delayed sending the paperwork. Bowler thought not all signatures were real. Many Colony members who could not write had someone else sign for them. Bowler sent the petition back. She told them that people who could not write should make a cross or a thumbprint. But this action needed to be witnessed by two other people.

Charters often helped tribes get credit. This credit would help Indians with economic growth. Bowler did not think the RSIC could get credit. This was because it had no farming resources.

However, the Colony's charter was approved on January 7, 1939. It included plans for the tribe to start a laundry, a store, a meat market, and a gas station. It also planned for raising poultry and a harness repair shop. These were for individual Indian members who wanted to start businesses.

Under Sampson's leadership, the RSIC also tried to buy more land for the Colony. This was allowed by the Indian Reorganization Act.

With help from E. M. Johnstone, a BIA land agent, LaVatta, and Bowler, a plan was sent. It was for buying 1,080 acres between Highway 40 and the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks. This plan was sent to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs on January 25, 1937. This land purchase never happened.

Changes in Federal Policy

While the RSIC continued to build its self-governance and look for business chances, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed the government's policy toward American Indians. He started the Termination Era.

Eisenhower wanted to end the U.S. government's responsibility to the tribes. This meant many tribes lost their federal benefits and support. They also lost control over their lands. From 1945 to 1968, this Termination Era ended 109 tribal governments and reservations. Luckily, no tribes in Nevada were terminated.

Finally, in 1970, U.S. President Nixon created the newest national policy for Indians: Tribal Self-Determination. Self-Determination gave tribes more control. It allowed Indians to manage their own affairs and be independent of federal oversight. They could still get government benefits and money.

The Colony Today

Today, the RSIC has grown its land base to over 2,000 acres. The Colony employs over 350 people. More than half of these employees are members of The People.

The tribe also has its own court system, police force, and health clinic. It provides full government services to its members. The tribe's other government departments include administration, education, public works, social services, and economic development.

The tribal court has a judge, clerks, and administrators. They provide legal services for criminal and civil cases under the tribe's laws. This court manages Tribal Court Advocate Services. These services provide advocates to members accused of breaking tribal laws. Appeals are handled by the Inter-Tribal Appellate Court of Nevada. This court has three judges and meets every three months. It also has a program to supervise young offenders.

The police force has 11 people. They work with the State of Nevada police. They focus on community policing.

Business and Economic Development

The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Business Enterprises and Economic Development Department manages the businesses for the benefit of all Colony members. These businesses include the Colony's smoke shops and other commercial ventures.

The Colony funds its tribal government using money from its businesses. This includes taxes on sales that happen on Colony land. All five smoke shops charge sales tax on tobacco products. This tax rate is the same as the State of Nevada's.

Recently, the Colony has been trying to rely less on tobacco sales. They are focusing on other types of businesses to earn more money and be more secure. However, the tribal smoke shops and other commercial properties have helped create money. This money helps provide and expand government services for Colony members, residents, and nearby communities.

Managing Commercial Properties

To make the Colony's money sources more diverse, they have leased and developed their commercial sites. Tenants include Mercedes Benz of Reno, Acura of Reno, Infinity of Reno, Wal-Mart, and many other local businesses. Money from the Colony's real estate projects helps fund the Colony's government. This government provides important services to its members and other urban Indians.

Economic Growth Initiatives

The main goal of the Colony's economic development has been to create different ways to earn money. This helps the Colony's members become more self-sufficient. The Tribal Council started these efforts over two decades ago.

The Colony has gathered development sites in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County. These lands are in city, suburban, and fast-growing areas. They have been bought for development and redevelopment.

The Economic Development Department also helps with community projects. For example, they helped design and build the $20 million Reno Sparks Tribal Health Center. This center is on Kuenzli Street along the Truckee River. The Tribal Health Center provides health care services to its members and other urban Indians in Washoe County.

Other community and regional facilities are being planned for construction in the next few years.

Through its development plans, the Colony wants to work with private businesses. They also want to partner with city, regional, and state governments. One recent example is the Colony-funded traffic signal system. They also made roadway improvements on South Virginia and McCabe streets. This cost $509,000.

The Colony helped build the floodwall and levee along the south bank of the Truckee River. This was before the Wal-Mart was built on East Second Street in Reno. This project involved the RSIC working with the Washoe County Flood Control Project, the Washoe County Public Works Department, the Nevada Department of State Lands, and Wal-Mart.

The RSIC paid $1.3 million to clean up the environment at the site. They got help from a Brownfields Loan. This loan was managed by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.

Sharing Revenue

The Colony suggested a law that would allow them to share money from their Wal-Mart project. The Nevada Legislature passed this proposal unanimously. This means the Colony will pay for the design and building of a new Northern Nevada Transitional Housing Center for the Nevada Department of Corrections. The Colony will also make yearly payments to the Washoe County School District in the future.

Another goal of economic development is to redevelop Reno's East Second Street neighborhood. Half of the Colony's residents live there, near Route 395.

The tribe's residential area is surrounded by industrial land uses. In some cases, the Colony has bought nearby plots. These were redeveloped to create a buffer between the homes and industrial areas.

For example, the Wal-Mart site was created by buying 12 industrial and commercial plots. By redeveloping the site and changing its use to retail, other less desirable land uses were removed. Also, walking paths were built along the Truckee River's floodwall and levee. This gives the public access to the river.

The Colony's development program gets help from different federal programs. For example, the Indian Employment Tax Credit is for non-tribal businesses that set up on Colony lands and hire tribal members. The Indian Accelerated Depreciation Schedule is for non-tribal businesses that operate on tribal lands.

Sites and Tenants

Each of the Colony's development sites is federal land. This land is held in trust for the tribe's benefit. These properties can be leased. The Colony manages four business development sites. It is the landlord for 20 commercial tenants and runs five Smoke Shops.

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