Elk Valley Rancheria - Crescent City, CA - Nations Within Nations on Waymarking.com

The Elk Valley Rancheria, California (rancheria is a Spanish term meaning a small Indian reservation) is geographically located in Tolowa ancestral territory, close to Yurok lands, and the Tribal rosters include people of both Tolowa and Yurok descent.

The Rancheria was founded shortly after the Landless California Indians Act of 1906 as a piece of land reserved for “homeless” local Indians. In the mid-1950s, Elk Valley, along with approximately 40 other Rancherias throughout the state, was illegally terminated from federal recognition and its programs and protections after the Congressional passage of the California Rancheria Act. In the 1980s, Tillie Hardwick, a Pomo Indian from the Pinoleville Rancheria, filed a class action suit, which resulted in the restoration of federal recognition of 17 Rancherias, including Elk Valley. The Tribe formally reorganized in 1994 pursuant to a written Tribal Constitution approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

The Tolowa resided in eight villages along or near the coast. There are currently ninety-four tribal members in the Elk Valley Rancheria, a combination of both Tolowa and Yurok Indians.

The Tribe has worked hard to bring prosperity to both the Elk Valley Rancheria, and surrounding region through providing employment opportunities, a wide variety of donations, community support and revenue. Tribal revenues are also invested in college education for tribal members, as well as early education programs for Native American children at the Elk Valley Head Start.

Just a short distance east of the HQ building is the Elk Valley Casino and the Elk Valley Tribal Cemetery.

Additional links:

• Constitution of the Elk Valley Rancheria
• Elk Valley Rancheria History & Culture
• Chamber of Commerce, Del Norte County
• Elk Valley Casino
• Tsunami Bowling Lanes
• Del Norte Golf Course
• Hiouchi RV Resort

Type of Nation Within: Native American Indian Reservation (USA) Tribe or Band: Tolowa and Yurok Address of Main Entrance to area: 2332 Howland Hill Road Crescent City, California USA 95531 Population: 94 Date when area was established or set aside: 01/01/1906 Open or Closed to Public: Open To Public Website for further information: [Web Link] Coordinates of site within area to visit: N 41° 45.560 W 124° 09.200 Land Area - Specify Acres or Miles: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
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