Formation of a 'Rancheria'

The Rancheria is situated on fairly level ground with elevations ranging from 10 to 168 feet above sea level. The property includes Prince Island and the shoreline opposite the island, a portion of the lower reach of Lopez Creek, and property at the northern edge of the mouth of the Smith River, and 25 residents on the 11.5 acre Jane Hostotlas Trust Allotment, better known as and referred to as Ne-le-chun-dun, located on the south riverbank of the Smith River, the largest undammed wild and scenic river in the United States. The Rancheria is located within the aboriginal territory of its people, the Tolowa. The Tolowa aboriginal territory and the authority of the Smith River Rancheria extends north from the Sixes River in Curry County, Oregon; to the Applegate River drainage in the east in Josephine County, Oregon, which extends south to Wilson Creek in Del Norte County, California, and north to the Sixes River in Coos County, Oregon; south to Wilson Creek in Del Norte County, California; and west to the sea stacks off the coast. These areas are replete with culturally significant environmental resources, not limited to rivers, sacred rock outcroppings, and former settlement sites.

One of three Indian reservations serving the Tolowa people, the Smith River Rancheria was established on November 6, 1908. As a part of the California Rancheria Act (1958) the Smith River Rancheria was terminated on July 28, 1960. Seventeen California Indian Tribes challenged their termination in federal court and the Rancheria regained its status as a result of the Tillie Hartwick vs. United States ruling on July 15, 1983. Members of the Rancheria adopted their constitution and formally reinstated their Tribal Government on June 27, 1987.

Unfortunately, during the period of Termination the land that formerly comprised the Rancheria was allotted to individual members and as much as 40% of that land was sold to non-Indians. As a result, many California Indian Tribes, the Smith River Rancheria included, are struggling with issues stemming from a small or nonexistent land base, loss of traditional life ways, and a depressed local economy. The Smith River Rancheria is actively pursuing ways to mitigate these issues. Currently, Tribal members are engaged in cultural revitalization; members young and old participate in language classes, traditional dances, basket weaving, resource collection, and community events. In addition, the Tribe is buying land and placing it in Tribal Trust status, reserving this land for future uses which would benefit the community.

The Smith River Rancheria has 1,038 enrolled members with 126 of those members living within the boundaries of the Rancheria and owning 80 acres, 71.38 of which are held in Private Individual-Member federal trust. As a result of the Tillie Hardwick un-termination case, the tribe retains authority over the land contained within the historic boundaries of the Smith River Rancheria. In addition, approximately 38 non-Indians own 46 acres of property and reside within the boundaries of the Rancheria. The Tribe holds 39 acres in trust (with 28.54 additional acres currently in the fee-to-trust process), including the water treatment facilities, the office and casino property, apartments for the elderly, the Howonquet Cemetery, the health clinic, the Head Start facility, Fuel Mart, Howonquet Hall Community Center, and off shore Prince Island.

In October of 2000, the Rancheria opened the 20,000 square-foot Lucky 7 Casino, and House of Howonquet restaurant, replacing the temporary trailer that had housed the casino operation for four years. The casino presently employs 112 area residents, 8% of whom are members of the Rancheria. Casino staff duties include administration, security, food service, and gaming. The Tribal Office employs twenty-two full-time employees, fourteen of whom are Native American, and eleven of whom are members of the Rancheria. Tribal office staff duties include Tribal administration, social services, environmental protection, fiscal tracking, reception, and maintenance. In 2004 the Rancheria started Howonquet Development and Construction, Inc. (HDCI). HDCI employs two full time staff, one operator, and three laborers, five of whom are members of the Rancheria. Duties include facility construction, housing renovation, and future Tribal projects.

The nearest urban area with a population over 25,000 is Eureka, 93 miles to the south in Humboldt County. The nearest city is Crescent City, 16 miles south of the Rancheria. Crescent City is the seat of Del Norte County and has a population of 7,303 (not including the 3,600 inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison). The community of Smith River, four miles south of the Rancheria, has an area population of 2,025. The local economy is based primarily on the natural resources of the area (forestry, fishing, agriculture, and tourism). Resource depletion and the cyclical nature of these seasonal industries contribute to a depressed economy in Del Norte County.

According to the most recent census information Native Americans in Del Norte County have an average per person income of $9,638 per year. The Native American population in Del Norte County is 1,771. Unemployment in the county is at 16.4%, with 34% of Native Americans living below the poverty level. In the year 2003, Native Americans accounted for 6.4% of the population of Del Norte County.