United Auburn Indian Community facts for kids
The United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC) is a federally recognized Native American tribe. Most members are Miwok Indians. They have lived in the Sacramento Valley region for a very long time.
The historic Auburn Rancheria is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It is near Auburn in Placer County, California.
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About the Tribe
The United Auburn Indian Community has about 170 members. Fifty-two members live on the Auburn Rancheria (39°01′22″N 121°19′28″W / 39.02278°N 121.32444°W). This land is in western Placer County. It is near the community of Sheridan.
The tribe is led by its tribal council. This council includes a chairperson, vice-chairperson, treasurer, and secretary. There is also a council member at large.
A Look at Their History
The UAIC comes from the Auburn Band. These were mostly Miwok Indians. They lived near Auburn, California. They survived many difficult times in the 1800s.
Life in the Past
This land gave the UAIC ancestors plenty of food all year. They gathered food based on when it was ready. Hunting, gathering, and fishing happened all year. The most activity was in late summer and early fall.
Seasonal harvests were important for everyone. They were also a time for sharing and trading. People held ceremonies and sometimes had disagreements. Grasses, herbs, and rushes provided food. They also gave materials for clothing and baskets. Seeds were collected using a seed beater and a tray. They were then cooked or stored.
Bear hunts were special events. Black bears were usually hunted in winter. People used lighted poles to drive them from their dens. Grizzlies lived on the valley floor. They were greatly feared and rarely hunted.
Federal Recognition Journey
The Auburn Indian Community's history is recorded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. These records go back to the early 1900s. In 1917, the United States government bought 20 acres (81,000 m2) of land. This land was near Auburn, California. It was set aside for the Auburn Band. This officially created the Auburn Rancheria.
In 1934, the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) changed things. This law helped tribes govern themselves more. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) held elections for tribes. They could choose to accept or reject the IRA. In 1935, 36 adult members of the Auburn Band voted. They chose to reject the IRA.
Later, in 1953, the United States Congress passed the Rancheria Termination Act. This law ended the government's special responsibilities to many California Indian tribes. For the Auburn Band, only a 2.8-acre (11,000 m2) piece of land remained. It had a park and a church. The government sold the rest of the Auburn Rancheria land. In 1967, the United States stopped recognizing the Auburn Band.
President Richard Nixon ended this termination policy in 1970. By 1978, the United States Senate and House of Representatives created a new policy. This policy focused on Native American self-determination. This means tribes could make more decisions for themselves.
On July 20, 1991, descendants of the Auburn Band reorganized their government. They wrote a new Constitution for the United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC). They asked the BIA to formally recognize them again. In 1994, Congress passed the Auburn Indian Restoration Act. This law restored the tribe's federal recognition. The act also allowed the tribe to buy land in Placer County for a new reservation.
In September 2002, the U.S. Department of the Interior took 49 acres (200,000 m2) of land into trust. The Thunder Valley Casino is built on this land today.
Community Programs
The UAIC has a Community Giving Program. This program helps others. Since March 2004, it has given over $4.6 million USD. This money goes to non-profit groups. These groups support education, health, arts, and community development.
The UAIC also has its own Education Department. It provides programs and services for tribal members. There is also an Environmental Protection Office. This office works on tribal environmental issues. In 2008, the UAIC opened its own tribal school.
Thunder Valley Casino Resort
The Tribe owns the Thunder Valley Casino Resort. It is located outside Lincoln, California. The facility opened in June 2003. It is 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m2) in size. It offers many types of entertainment. This includes slot machines, video games, and table games. Guests can also eat at various restaurants and bars.
The UAIC made an agreement with California in 1999. This was a Tribal-State Gaming Compact. It allowed them to have Class III gaming on their land. This agreement was updated in 2004.
The UAIC worked closely with Placer County and nearby cities. They also worked with citizens. This helped to manage any possible effects of the casino's development.
In 2010, Thunder Valley Casino Resort was named "Best Regional Casino." This was by Sacramento Magazine. It won over other casinos like Red Hawk Casino and Jackson Rancheria Casino and Hotel.
