Wilton Rancheria facts for kids
Miwok-Paiute ceremony in 1872 at current site of Yosemite Lodge
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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 700+ (enrolled members) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( California) |
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| Languages | |
| English, historically Central Sierra Miwok language |
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| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Miwok tribes |
The Wilton Rancheria is a Native American tribe. They are officially recognized by the United States government. This tribe is made up of Miwok people and is located in northern California.
The Wilton Rancheria was formed from two groups: the Wilton Rancheria Miwok and the Me-Wuk Indian Community of the Wilton Rancheria. They officially regained their recognition in 2009.
Today, the Wilton Rancheria has over 900 members. Most of these members (62%) live in Southern Sacramento County. The tribe's land, called a rancheria or reservation, is about 38.5 acres. It is located in the Sacramento Valley, close to the city of Elk Grove and the community of Wilton. The government holds this land in trust for the tribe. This happened because the tribe did not have its own land at the time.
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Understanding Wilton Rancheria History
For many years, the ancestors of the Wilton Rancheria Miwok lived along the Cosumnes River. They lived there until 1958. The tribe's members are descendants of the Plains and Sierra Miwok. These groups lived and thrived in the Sacramento Valley long before Europeans arrived. In their own language, mi-wuk means "people."
Early Treaties and Hidden Documents
Between March 1851 and January 1852, three government officials met with Native American leaders in California. They created eighteen treaties. However, the U.S. Senate never approved these treaties. This meant they never became law. Records show that Congress never even discussed them. The documents about these treaties were kept secret for over 50 years.
Federal Policy Changes and Challenges
In 1958, the tribe's official status was ended. This happened under the California Rancheria Act. At that time, the federal government believed that Native American tribes should become more like other Americans. This policy was called the Indian termination policy. It ended the federal status of several tribes across the United States.
After their status was ended in 1958, the Wilton Rancheria Tribe faced many difficulties. They had high unemployment and low incomes. Many members did not have health insurance. Also, fewer members were able to graduate from college.
Regaining Recognition and Self-Determination
In the 1970s, the government started to rethink the termination policy. President Richard M. Nixon and Congress began to support "Indian self-determination." This meant tribes should have more control over their own affairs. This change was partly due to Native American groups actively working for their rights.
In the 1990s, the Wilton Rancheria reorganized their government. They officially asked the U.S. government to restore their federal recognition. They took their case to court. In 2009, a U.S. District Court Judge ruled in their favor. The judge found strong evidence that the tribe had been recognized by the federal government for a long time. This was based on the many treaties made with their leaders in the 1800s. On June 13, 2009, their federal recognition was restored.
Building a Future for the Tribe
The tribe created and approved its own constitution in 2011. This document set up their elected government with four branches. It created a clear structure for how the tribe would be governed. Official government notices show that the tribe's service area is in Sacramento County, California.
The tribe has enrolled many new members. The federal government also took 36 acres of land into trust for their reservation. This helped restore some of their original land. The tribe plans to build the Wilton Rancheria Elk Grove Resort and Casino on this land. They hope this will create money to help their tribal members. This money will support welfare and education programs. The tribe won a court case that allows them to build it. They also want to attract visitors to their new resort.
