California Tribal Business Alliance

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Ninth in a Series The California Tribal Business November is Native Alliance was formed in 2004 American Heritage Month by California Indian tribes

As part of CTBA’s commitment to raise awareness about interested in developing Native American culture and history, throughout this month we will provide brief stories and historical vignettes to partnerships and coalitions enhance the understanding of where we come from and why with like-minded our sovereignty is so critical. governments and with

business, community and

Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians civic organizations, with the About our People - We are Nomlaki. intent to build productive The story of the Nomlaki people is the story of many families who have alliances based on mutual lived for centuries in what is now called Northern California. We are “Central Wintun” people – and closely related to our Wintun cousins respect and cooperation. both to the North and South (the Wintu and the Patwin).

For countless generations, we have lived in what are now parts of the Tehama and Glenn counties of California. The high peaks of Nomdāl Coł (the Coast Range) create the western boundary of our traditional homeland, and Mēm Phon (the Sacramento River) forms our general boundary to the east. The northern edge of our territory begins around Chairman Wayqewełmem (Cottonwood Creek), and the southern edge forms Robert Smith around Noyqewełmem (Grindstone Creek) and Kapay (Stony Creek). Chairman of the Pala Band of Luiseño Indians The waters of Nomqewełmem (Thomes Creek), Wāltiqewełmem (Elder Creek), and Dawpomem (Redbank Creek) flow across the rich and Vice-Chairwoman diverse terrains that form our traditional Nomlaki homelands. Leslie Lohse Treasurer of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians of Our contemporary culture stems from our long-standing traditions – as California pious people who possessed earth lodge practices – as non-agrarian people who managed, and relied upon, the profuse bounty of the Secretary-Treasurer acorn, wild seeds, edible roots, and abundant game – as highly Robert Cita Welch resourceful people who elevated the art of fine basketry – and as Vice Chairman of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians disciplined people who honed our skills through initiatory societies.

You can learn about our history, below:

In 1808, it is generally believed that the first non-Indian explorer reached our communities found along the banks of the Sacramento River.

By 1849, the settlement of Tehama had become a booming town with a busy port that kept riverboats well-stocked with cattle and produce used to feed the California Gold Rush. During these years, our Nomlaki 1530 J Street, Suite 410 population quickly declined as we succumbed to foreign sicknesses, Sacramento, CA 95814 slavery, and deadly conflicts over territory and resources. ph: (916) 346-4205 fax: (916) 346-4283 www.caltba.org In 1854, the 25,000-acre Nome Lackee Indian Reservation was formed by the United States Government. Situated in the heart of Nomlaki Follow us on Twitter territory, the reservation served as a military prison for the Nomlaki people as well as for many of the native peoples of present-day Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Yolo, Sutter, Trinity, and Shasta counties.

Beginning in 1863, due to the mismanagement of the Nome Lackee Indian Reservation, our ancestors were brutally relocated to Nom Qēl, the Nome Cult Farm (Round Valley Indian Reservation), via the 100- mile long Nome Cult Trail. The old reservation was fully abandoned by 1866, and what was left of our ancestral lands was sold to non-Indian settlers. While some Nomlaki families chose to stay at Round Valley after the Nome Cult relocation, others of us began returning to our ancestral homelands seeking independence and work.

In 1915, the Nomlaki who eventually made their ways back to the Paskenta area were identified as a distinct band of Indians. In 1920, the 260-acre Paskenta Rancheria was formed. This rancheria was meant to serve as a home base for the Paskenta Nomlaki people.

In 1959, the Paskenta Rancheria was terminated under the California Rancheria Termination Act, and our lands were again sold to non- Indians.

This action by the government took away our land and tribal rights – but not our identity. We stayed active in the Paskenta area and remained connected to each other. Our families kept in contact through ceremonies, funerals and other functions. As a community – and within our individual families – we sang, we danced, we shared stories and knowledge.

Over thirty years after disbandment, we were rallied together by the late Everett Freeman who felt that we needed to reclaim our home and lands. Everett began to contact the former inhabitants, as well as the descendants of the original Paskenta Rancheria and surrounding areas. Under Everett’s guidance as well as the diligence of various members of our family and friends – the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians was officially restored as a federally recognized tribe in 1994.

During this period, our Tribal Council worked to develop an enduring foundation for our members and our descendants – and become a robust contributor to the surrounding communities. In 2000, our Tribe was able to acquire a 2000-acre reservation near Corning, California. These lands have since grown, and have become the home of the Rolling Hills Casino, the Sevillano Links Golf Course, the Clear Creek Sports Club, as well as two hotels, an RV park, a truck stop, and a gasoline station. Endeavors like these have enabled our Tribe to once again thrive upon our aboriginal lands and contribute to the health and stewardship of the place we call home.

Narrative courtesy of www.paskentaweb.com