Welcome Relatives

From ancient times to the 1800s, the indigenous Pomo people lived peacefully in Northern California. However, the Gold Rush and quest for discovery of Western frontier brought many people who brought their own ideals. Unfortunately, much of the Tribes land was destroyed and the life they had enjoyed for centuries was forever changed.

The Cloverdale Rancheria was created in 1921 when the United States government federally recognized the Tribe and deeded 27.5 acres on the southern edge of Cloverdale to the then homeless, landless members.

The Rancheria was terminated . The federal government enacted the Rancheria Act of 1958, which transferred tribal communal property into private ownership, thereby destroying all cultural and tribal affiliations. Under this process of “termination,” Cloverdale, and 43 other Rancherias in California, were eliminated.

The Pomo people rose . Tillie Hardwick, a Pomo Indian woman, led a class action lawsuit against the United States government on behalf of 16 illegally terminated Rancherias.

The Pomo prevailed. Nearly five years later, the courts issued a favorable ruling on the Hardwick lawsuit, which reinstated the federal recognition of all illegally terminated Rancherias, including the Cloverdale Rancheria.

Highway 101 destroyed Cloverdale Rancheria land . The Highway 101 bypass cut through the center of the Cloverdale Rancheria, after the remaining Tribal landowners were forced by Cal-Trans to sell their land to make way for the freeway. The bypass split the Rancheria between the east and west side of freeway, rendering it of little value to the Tribe for future habitation or development.

The Tribe restored culture. Through the many phases of our Tribal history, we lost part of our culture to passing generations. Striving to revive our traditions for future generations, we again began our Tribal dance group and have begun, again, to restore our heritage.

Self-reliance sought . The Cloverdale Rancheria is a Tribe seeking self-reliance for its people. The Tribe wishes to live and prosper in Cloverdale, where its history and culture are deeply rooted.