Round Valley Indian Tribes of the Round Valley Reservation facts for kids
The Round Valley Indian Reservation is a special area of land in northern Mendocino County, California, United States. A small part of it also reaches into southern Trinity County. This land is set aside for Native American tribes and is officially recognized by the U.S. government. The total area of the reservation, including other lands held in trust, is about 94 square kilometers (36 square miles). Most of this land is held in trust, including an area near Covelo. In 2000, about 300 people lived on the reservation, with 99 of them in Covelo.
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Who Are the Round Valley Tribes?
The people of the Round Valley Indian Reservation are part of the Covelo Indian Community. This community is made up of several different Native American tribes. These include the Yuki, who originally lived in Round Valley. Other tribes forced to move here were the Concow Maidu, Little Lake and other Pomo, Nomlaki, Cahto, Wailaki, and Pit River peoples. They were all made to live on this land, which was once only home to the Yuki tribe.
How the Reservation Started
The Round Valley Indian Reservation began in 1856. It was first called the Nome Cult Farm. This farm was an extension of another reservation, the Nomi Lackee Reservation. The U.S. government created five reservations in California in 1852. The idea behind these reservations was to free up Native American land for settlers. Native people were often forced off their lands to make way for new towns and farms.
When the reservation was created, the Yuki people faced a unique challenge. Unlike other areas, their homeland was not completely taken over. Instead, a small part was kept for them and for other tribes. Many of these other tribes were actually enemies of the Yuki. The Yuki had to share their home with strangers. These new people spoke different languages and had different beliefs. They also used the land and its resources in new ways.
Forced Relocation to the Reservation
Native Americans were brought to Round Valley, and other reservations, by force. People at the time used the word "drive" to describe this. It meant "rounding up" Native Americans and "driving" them like cattle. They were then "corralled" by tall fences on the reservation. These forced journeys happened in all kinds of weather. Many elderly and sick people did not survive these difficult trips.
Over time, people from different tribes on the reservation married each other. They began to share a common way of life and the same land. A new, unified community grew from this. The descendants of the Yuki, Concow Maidu, Pomo, Nomlaki, Cahto, Wailaki, and Pit River peoples formed a new tribe. This group was first called the Covelo Indian Community. Later, they became known as the Round Valley Indian Tribes. Their history is a mix of many cultures, all sharing the experience of life on the reservation.
Conflicts and Fort Wright
Between 1856 and 1858, Round Valley slowly filled with farms. This happened even though it was supposed to be a reservation. During this time, there was a lot of tension. Relations between the different Native American groups, settlers, and reservation workers became very hostile.
Violence Against Native Americans
Sadly, violence was common during this period. Settlers attacked and killed many Native Americans. This was part of a terrible time known as the California genocide. Between 1850 and 1870, at least 283 Native American men, women, and children were killed. The state of California even paid or repaid the people who committed these acts.
Because of the extreme hostility, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs asked for the U.S. Army to come to the valley. The army's job was to help keep the peace.
Establishment of Fort Wright
In late 1858, a U.S. Army company left Benicia for Mendocino County. Bad weather stopped their march at Fort Weller in Redwood Valley. However, Lieutenant Edward Dillon went ahead with 17 men. They took over the barracks in Round Valley. Later, Fort Wright was built in December 1862. It was located on the western edge of the valley.
At first, the soldiers were meant to protect Native Americans from white attacks. But soon, as part of the Bald Hills War, their role changed. They were sent to capture Native Americans throughout the area. Their new job was to bring them to the reservation for confinement.
Important Laws and Changes
President Ulysses S. Grant officially created the Round Valley Indian Reservation. He did this with an Executive Order on March 30, 1870. This order followed the Four Reservations Act of 1864. Since then, many government laws have affected life on the reservation. Two very important laws were the Dawes Act of 1887 and the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.
The Allotment Act of 1887
The Dawes Act is also known as the Allotment Act. This law caused the reservation to be divided into smaller plots in 1894. These plots were either 5 or 10 acres in size. They were given out to individual families. This law allowed Native Americans to own private land for the first time. Even though the land was given to individuals, the government still held it in trust.
However, in 1920, people who received land could "fee patent" it. This meant they could get a full deed to their land. But to do this, they had to give up its trust status. This also meant losing benefits, like not having to pay taxes. Some people in Round Valley lost their land because of this. They either could not pay the new taxes or sold their land for money. They sold it to white settlers or other Native Americans. Others did well by farming and raising animals. They leased extra land and grew vegetables, hay, hogs, and cattle.
The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934
In 1934, the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA). This law aimed to help Native American tribes govern themselves. The government only recognized tribes that had elected councils, not those based on old traditions. The Native Americans of Round Valley elected a tribal council and wrote a constitution. Both of these are still used today.
Along with this change in how tribes were managed, new rules were made. These rules were meant to stop Native Americans from losing their land. The IRA ended the Allotment Act. Native Americans on the reservation could no longer legally buy or sell land, hold deeds, or get loans. The land was put back into trust status. This meant trust land could not be used as security for loans.
When the tribe was first recognized, both the tribe and the reservation were known as the Covelo Indian Community.
Other Pomo Communities
Here are some other Pomo communities in Mendocino County:
