Tribal
Court
About Us
WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE COME FROM
The Elk Valley Rancheria is geographically located in Tolowa ancestral territory, close to Yurok lands. Our tribal membership includes 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-1950’s, Elk Valley, along with approximately 40 other Rancherias throughout the state, were illegally terminated from federal recognition by a Congressional passage of the California Rancheria Act. In the 1980’s, Tillie Hardwick, a Pomo Indian, filed a class action suit, which resulted in the restoration of federal recognition of 17 Rancherias, including Elk Valley. Our Tribe formally reorganized in 1994 pursuant to a written Tribal Constitution approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. As a Tribe we are deeply committed in preserving our culture, and restoring our lands.
