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42-823: The Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of California is a federally recognized tribe of indigenous people of California , affiliated with the Chukchansi subgroup of the Foothills Yokuts . The Picayune Rancheria , founded in 1912 and located in Coarsegold, California , covers 160 acres (1 km) in Madera County and serves as the tribal land . The tribe has historically confronted numerous challenges, including European colonization, displacement, and loss of land. In response, they have pursued cultural and economic revitalization efforts, notably with

84-631: A vigilante group . In 1856, Fresno County was established, with the area becoming part of the initial supervisorial district. The gold from the region was notably valuable, prompting the construction of infrastructure like schools and mines. Notable individuals from this era include Theodore Thure Strombeck, an early settler and member of the Mariposa Battalion and the local vigilantes. Coarsegold has previously had several names, including "Coarse Gold", "Gold Gulch", "Michaels", "Oro Grosso", "Texas Flat", and "Coarse Gold Gulch". The place

126-577: A 75-mile radius of the Picayune Reservation. General eligibility requires tribal members to be 18 years or older and have attended at least eight council meetings. For officer positions, candidates must be 25 years or older and also meet the meeting attendance requirement. Founded in 1912, the Picayune Rancheria ( 37°12′41″N 119°42′03″W  /  37.21139°N 119.70083°W  / 37.21139; -119.70083 )

168-572: A high percentage of veterans (17.8%) and a substantial older population, with 27.0% over 65, compared to 15.8% in the state. Lastly, Coarsegold residents face longer commutes than most Californians, with an average travel time to work of 41.7 minutes, surpassing the state average of 28.3 minutes. Since 2008, Chukchansi language courses have been offered at the local elementary school in Coarsegold. By 2012, these classes expanded to include both children and adults. Initiated in 1953 to celebrate

210-442: A median household income of $ 81,814, slightly below the state's $ 91,551. However, its poverty rate is lower at 8.2%, compared to California's 12.2%. The town's employment rate is 49.8%, under the state's 60.0%, and 22.7% of its residents have at least a bachelor's degree, less than the state's 37.0%. Demographically, Coarsegold has fewer foreign-born residents (3.9%) and fewer non-English speakers than California overall. Yet, it has

252-407: A nearby creek. At one time, several dozen gold mines operated in the area. By the 1860s, Coarsegold became well-known as an important stop for people heading to the mountains for cattle raising, farming, and lumbering. The town grew even more popular after the wagon road to Yosemite Valley was completed in 1876, attracting tourists worldwide. However, in the 1880s, Coarsegold saw less traffic after

294-519: A new road was built directly from the valley to the mining areas in Grub Gulch and Ahwahnee , leading straight to Yosemite. The Coarse Gold Gulch post office opened in 1878, changed the name to "Goldgulch" in 1895 and to "Coarsegold" in 1899. By the early 20th century, the number of indigenous people in California, including the Chukchansi, had drastically reduced. In an attempt to address

336-473: A population of 4,144. Coarsegold stands out from state averages with its older population, high homeownership rates, and unique cultural traits. The town's median age is 40.5, older than the state's 37.9. A notable 90.0% of Coarsegold homes are owner-occupied, well above California's 55.8% average. Additionally, linguistic diversity is lower here, with only 7.1% speaking a non-English language at home, compared to 44.4% statewide. Economically, Coarsegold has

378-959: Is 160 acres (650,000 m) large and located in Madera County, in Coarsegold, California . The community of Yosemite Lakes is also nearby. The tribe operates the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino and associated dining venues in Coarsegold . They also hold naming rights to Chukchansi Park in Fresno . Since the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino opened in 2003, the Chukchansi Tribe has disenrolled more than half its members. Disenrollment involves removing individuals from tribal membership, denying them various federal tribal benefits including educational support, land rights, tax advantages, medical care, and income from tribal enterprises like casinos. Following

420-550: Is 38 miles (61 km) to the south, and the south entrance of Yosemite is 23 miles (37 km) to the north. Nearby communities include Oakhurst 8 miles (13 km) to the north and Yosemite Lakes Park the same distance to the southwest. Indian Lakes Estates is 5 miles (8 km) southeast of the center of Coarsegold. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the CDP has an area of 17.3 square miles (45 km ), of which 0.1 square miles (0.3 km ), or 0.38%, are water. The area

462-516: Is drained by Coarse Gold Creek, a south-flowing tributary of the Fresno River . Coarsegold has a Mediterranean climate ( Csa according to the Köppen climate classification system) with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Its average annual precipitation is 27.29 in (693 mm). It is located in hardiness zone 8b. The 2020 United States Census reported that Coarsegold had

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504-635: Is used by the BIA to publish the list of "Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs". Tribes in the contiguous 48 states and those in Alaska are listed separately. Coarsegold, California Coarsegold , California , is a census-designated place in Madera County , situated in the central part of the state. As of

546-590: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) of the United States. Of these, 228 are located in Alaska and 109 are located in California. 346 of the 574 federally recognized tribes are located in the contiguous United States. Federally recognized tribes are those Native American tribes recognized by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs as holding a government-to-government relationship with

588-400: The Bureau of Indian Affairs intervened by reinstating the 2010 Tribal Council, recognized as the last uncontested election, as a temporary measure to alleviate the conflict until a new council could be elected. In 2019, more than 60 members were expelled from the tribe, and in 2023, an additional 49 members faced disenrollment. This reduction in total membership has resulted in an increase in

630-478: The Central Valley . While these tribes shared cultural traits and languages, they also maintained distinct dialects. The discovery of gold marked a period of significant disruption for the Chukchansi, characterized by loss of land, spread of diseases, and societal upheaval. These events, coupled with policies of forced assimilation like the removal of children to boarding schools, led to a marked decline in

672-687: The Sierra Nevada foothills to the Fresno and Chowchilla River valleys and down to the Tehachapi Mountains . Today, many Chukchansi reside near their tribal headquarters in the Picayune Rancheria, approximately 30 miles north of Fresno . The Chukchansi language, part of the broader Yokuts linguistic classification, reflects the diversity of approximately 60 tribes identified by anthropologists, each with distinct dialects but sharing cultural similarities. Historically,

714-653: The U.S. Congress the right to interact with tribes. More specifically, the Supreme Court of the United States in United States v. Sandoval warned, "it is not... that Congress may bring a community or body of people within range of this power by arbitrarily calling them an Indian tribe, but only that in respect of distinctly Indian communities the questions whether, to what extent, and for what time they shall be recognized and dealt with as dependent tribes" (at 46). Federal tribal recognition grants to tribes

756-403: The 1950s, the BIA in 1978 published final rules with procedures that groups had to meet to secure federal tribal acknowledgment. There are seven criteria. Four have proven troublesome for most groups to prove: long-standing historical community, outside identification as Indians, political authority, and descent from a historical tribe. Tribes seeking recognition must submit detailed petitions to

798-468: The 2020 census, it had a population of 4,144. Coarsegold holds historical significance as Madera County's last surviving "gold town" and is notable for its Native American heritage, particularly as the headquarters of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians , a federally recognized tribe . The community celebrates its frontier culture with annual events such as the Coarsegold Rodeo and

840-457: The 574th tribe to gain federal recognition on December 20, 2019. The website USA.gov , the federal government's official web portal, also maintains an updated list of tribal governments . Ancillary information present in former versions of this list but no longer contained in the current listing has been included here in italic print. The Federal Register

882-561: The BIA's Office of Federal Acknowledgment. To be formally recognized as an Indian tribe, the US Congress can legislate recognition or a tribe can meet the seven criteria outlined by the Office of Federal Acknowledgment. These seven criteria are summarized as: The federal acknowledgment process can take years, even decades; delays of 12 to 14 years have occurred. The Shinnecock Indian Nation formally petitioned for recognition in 1978 and

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924-771: The Chukchansi Yokuts Revitalization Project. With only a few native speakers remaining, the tribe partnered with the university and contributed $ 1 million in 2012 to support the language's preservation. The tribe also established the Picayune Rancheria Chukchansi Scholarship at Fresno State to support students with an interest in Native American culture. Moreover, the tribe offers a range of educational programs, scholarships, and internships for its members. They prioritize early education to support

966-555: The Chukchansi people were adept at utilizing their environment, engaging in farming, hunting, and gathering using advanced techniques. They relied on various animals for protein and employed innovative methods, such as decoys, for hunting. Their diet was complemented by plants, nuts, and seeds, particularly acorns, which were abundant in summer. Fire played a crucial role in their lifestyle, used not only for cooking but also for managing land and hunting grounds. Following European contact, including Spanish missionaries and American settlers,

1008-464: The Chukchansi population faced significant challenges, including disease and displacement, dramatically reducing their numbers. The discovery of gold further exacerbated their loss of land and rights under American governance. In the early 20th century, the U.S. government allocated land to landless Native Californians, forming Rancherias . However, the Chukchansi experienced a period of federal non-recognition and land loss until their federal recognition

1050-576: The Tarantula Awareness Festival. Positioned between Fresno and Yosemite National Park , the town appeals to both retirees and commuters, thanks to its strategic location along Highway 41 . The Chukchansi, native to the Coarsegold region, have a history dating back over 8,000 years. They are part of a larger group known as the Yokuts , classified by anthropologists based on linguistic similarities among approximately 60 tribes in

1092-638: The US federal government . For Alaska Native tribes, see list of Alaska Native tribal entities . In the United States , the Native American tribe is a fundamental unit of sovereign tribal government. As the Department of the Interior explains, "federally recognized tribes are recognized as possessing certain inherent rights of self-government (i.e., tribal sovereignty)...." The constitution grants to

1134-638: The addition of six tribes in Virginia under the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2017, signed in January 2018 after the annual list had been published. In July 2018 the United States' Federal Register issued an official list of 573 tribes that are Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs . The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana became

1176-528: The case was dismissed. February 2012 saw the election of leaders opposed to disenrollment, but the standing council members disputed the election results, leading to a standoff. Protests escalated when supporters of the new leaders occupied a tribal building, leading to confrontations involving pepper spray and burning logs. Law enforcement from Fresno and Madera Counties, alongside the California Highway Patrol, intervened. In February 2014,

1218-508: The casino's opening, hundreds of members were disenrolled, resulting in increased financial shares for the remaining members. Those disenrolled included individuals with verified ancestry and rights, as well as some of the last speakers of the Chukchansi language. By 2013, tribal membership reportedly halved from approximately 1,800 to 900. In 2012, the Ramirezes family's legal challenge asserted their exclusive legitimacy as tribe members, but

1260-502: The displacement, the U.S. government created "Rancherias" in 1902. These were smaller than reservations and intended to provide living spaces and means for subsistence. The Rancheria at Picayune was specifically allocated to the Chukchansi in 1912, representing a federal recognition of their land rights, albeit in a limited form. Coarsegold is located on Highway 41 between Fresno and the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park , at an elevation of 2,218 ft (676 m). Fresno

1302-457: The educational success of Native American children and families, focusing on maintaining and sharing their cultural heritage. The tribe's administrative center is in Coarsegold, California , managed by a seven-member tribal council elected by the community. Annual Tribal Council elections are overseen by an election committee, adhering to the tribe's constitutional guidelines. Eligible candidates and officers must be qualified voters residing within

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1344-623: The monthly payouts for the remaining members. The tribe's casino reportedly generated close to $ 44 million in revenue in 2022. The ranchería is served by the Coarsegold Union Elementary School District and Yosemite Joint Union High School District. Federally recognized tribe This is a list of federally recognized tribes in the contiguous United States . There are also federally recognized Alaska Native tribes . As of January 8, 2024 , 574 Indian tribes were legally recognized by

1386-604: The native population. Following the 1849 gold strike at Coarsegold, miners spread throughout the region, particularly along the Fresno River . By 1852, a settlement had formed at the river's only fordable point, marked by the establishment of a trading post by John Ledford and George M. Carson. Initially constructed from adobe, the site featured a store, saloon, and living quarters. The trading post changed hands, eventually becoming known under J.L. Hunt and J.R. Roan. During this period, scarce goods led to high prices, especially for whiskey and flour. The area, known as The Crossing,

1428-403: The opening of the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in 2003. Various initiatives have been undertaken to revive the Chukchansi language and to maintain the tribe's cultural heritage. The tribal governance is based in Coarsegold and consists of a seven-member council. Economic activities of the Picayune Rancheria have expanded into investments into retail, construction and other areas. However,

1470-458: The right to certain benefits, and is largely administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). While trying to determine which groups were eligible for federal recognition in the 1970s, government officials became aware of the need for consistent procedures. To illustrate, several federally unrecognized tribes encountered obstacles in bringing land claims ; United States v. Washington (1974)

1512-502: The town's centennial, the Coarsegold Rodeo has become an annual tradition, occurring on the first weekend of May. Additionally, the Tarantula Awareness Festival is held yearly in Coarsegold. This event corresponds with the mating season of local tarantulas , marking the transition to cooler temperatures and the start of autumn rains. It provides an opportunity to learn about and observe these spiders in their natural habitat. The 1993 adventure game Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist

1554-625: The tribe has faced issues related to the disenrollment of a significant portion of its members following the casino's opening. The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians is affiliated to the Chukchansi Yokuts culture, indigenous to Central California . This group has occupied the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills for over 12,000 years. The Chukchansi territory has traditionally spanned from

1596-585: Was a court case that affirmed the fishing treaty rights of Washington tribes; and other tribes demanded that the U.S. government recognize aboriginal titles . All the above culminated in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 , which legitimized tribal entities by partially restoring Native American self-determination . Following the decisions made by the Indian Claims Commission in

1638-554: Was first called "Texas Flat" after miners from Texas discovered gold there in 1849. By 1874, the name had changed to "Michaels", honoring Charles Michaels, a local merchant. A rival mining camp inhabited by Mexicans there was called "Oro Grosso", the Spanish translation of "coarse gold". The current name derives from the California Gold Rush of the mid-19th century, when prospectors discovered coarse nuggets of gold in

1680-466: Was notorious for violent encounters among miners, leading to numerous burials on a nearby hill. The Crossing also served as a launch point for the first tourist group to Yosemite Valley and was central to the community's history, including the first private school in California. The area experienced typical frontier challenges such as horse thefts, sluice box robberies, and a significant Chinese population facing theft. To combat lawlessness, locals formed

1722-673: Was recognized 32 years later in 2010. At a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing, witnesses testified that the process was "broken, long, expensive, burdensome, intrusive, unfair, arbitrary and capricious, less than transparent, unpredictable, and subject to undue political influence and manipulation." The number of tribes increased to 567 in May 2016 with the inclusion of the Pamunkey tribe in Virginia who received their federal recognition in July 2015. The number of tribes increased to 573 with

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1764-524: Was reinstated in 1983, although they initially remained landless. Awani descendants from Yosemite Valley are also enrolled in the Picayune Rancheria. In recent years, the Chukchansi have worked to reclaim their heritage and land, notably establishing the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino , marking a step toward economic and cultural revitalization. The tribe promotes education and has collaborated with Fresno State's Department of Linguistics since June 2009 to revive its nearly extinct language through

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