The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation (/ˈjoʊtʃə ˈdiːhi ˈwɪntuːn/ YOH-chə DEE-hee WIN-toon)[2] is a federally recognized tribe of Wintun people, specifically Patwin people or southern Wintun, in Yolo County, California. They were formerly known as the Rumsey Indian Rancheria of Wintun Indians of California.
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 36 rancheria population[1] (2011) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( California) | |
| Languages | |
| English, Patwin | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Wintun peoples |
Government
editThe Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is headquartered in Brooks, California. A democratically elected, five-person tribal council govern the tribe and operate tribal services and business ventures, such as Yocha Dehe Wintun Academy, Yocha Dehe Fire Department, Yocha Dehe Community Fund, Yocha Dehe Farm and Ranch, Cultural Resources Department, Health and Wellness Department, Environmental Department, Tribal Gaming Agency, and Cache Creek Casino Resort.[3] The current tribal administration is as follows:
- Chairman: Anthony Roberts
- Secretary: Mia Durham
- Treasurer: Leland Kinter
- Council Member: Yvonne Perkins
- Council Member: Seth Lowell
Reservation
edit
The tribe's reservation is the Rumsey Rancheria, a federally recognized ranchería in the Coast Range. Established in 1907, the rancheria is 185 acres large.[4]
Culture
editThe Yocha Dehe Wintun are Patwin people, whose traditional territories are near the Sacramento River valley. The Patwin language is a Penutian language. Traditional subsistence included fishing king salmon, harvesting acorns, hunting, and gathering vegetables.[5]
Economic development
editThe Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation owns and operates the Cache Creek Casino Resort, which included a hotel, spa, and golf course, as well as several restaurants: C2 Steak and Seafood, Chang Shou, The Sports Page, Harvest Buffet, Canyon Cafe, The Deli, Asian Kitchen, Sweets Etc., and Loco Express, all located in Brooks.[6]
The tribe's agricultural interests include wine grapes and arbequina olives. They package and market many of their products, including olive oils, vinegar and wine under the brand Seka Hills.[7] They have two retail stores and tasting rooms in Yolo County, one in Brooks and one in Clarksburg in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.[8]
Education
editThe ranchería is served by the Esparto Unified School District.
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ "Population." SDSU: California Indians and Their Reservation. 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ The Overlook narrated by Marshall McKay (Audio). Restore/Restory: A People's History of the Cache Creek Nature Preserve. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
- ^ "Tribal Council." Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ Pritzker 154
- ^ "Wintun Indians." SDSU: California Indians and Their Reservations. 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ "Cache Creek Casino Resort." 500 Nations. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ Fabricant, Florence. "Olive Oil From a California Tribe." The New York Times. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ Burrell, Jackie (5 December 2018). "Wine Tasting Adventures: 15 sips at Clarksburg's Old Sugar Mill". San Jose Mercury News. San Jose, CA. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
References
edit- Pritzker, Barry M. A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and Peoples. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN 978-0-19-513877-1