Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria facts for kids
The tribe's Bear River Casino in Loleta, California
|
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 550 enrolled members | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( California) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, historically Mattole and Wiyot | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Mattole and Wiyot people |
The Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria is a Native American tribe. They are officially recognized by the United States government. This tribe includes people from the Mattole and Wiyot people groups. They live in Humboldt County, California.
Where the Bear River Band Lives
The Rohnerville Rancheria is the land set aside for the Bear River Band. It is a special type of land for Native American tribes. This rancheria is split into two separate areas. One part is near Fortuna. The other part is southeast of Loleta. Both areas are in Humboldt County. In 2010, about 38 people lived on the rancheria.
The tribe's original homeland was along the Mattole and Bear Rivers. This area is close to Cape Mendocino. Wiyot people lived along the Little River. Their land stretched down to the Bear River and about 25 miles to the east. Mattole villages like Tcalko', Chilsheck, Selsche'ech, Tlanko, Estakana, and Sehtla were found along the Bear River.
How the Tribe Supports Itself
The Bear River Band has created several businesses to help their community. These businesses include the Bear River Casino Resort. They also run the River's Edge Restaurant and the Thirsty Bear Lounge. The tribe also has the Bear River Recreation Center. These places are all in Loleta, California.
A new place called the Bear River Family Entertainment Center is also open. It has a 10-lane bowling alley and an arcade. There is also a laser tag area. Plus, they have a baseball field for tournaments. This center is next to the Bear River Recreation Center.
Unique Traditions of the Tribe
The Mattole and Wiyot people have interesting cultural traditions. Mattole people had unique customs, including special face markings for men. This was different from some nearby tribes. The Mattole people spoke the Mattole language. This language is part of the Athapaskan language family. The Wiyot people spoke the Wiyot language, which is an Algonquian language.
