325:, 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 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.
256:
157:
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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 the educational success of Native American children and families, focusing on maintaining and sharing their cultural heritage.
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Historically, 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,
495:
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 the monthly payouts for the remaining members. The tribe's casino reportedly generated close to $ 44 million in
312:
Department of
Linguistics since June 2009 to revive its nearly extinct language through 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
484:
In 2012, the
Ramirezes family's legal challenge asserted their exclusive legitimacy as tribe members, but 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
480:
Following 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
887:
203:
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, the tribe has faced issues related to the
485:
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.
195:
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 the opening of the
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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.
476:
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.
415:, established in 1987, is a prominent commercial construction company in Central California and the U.S., specializing in Indian Country and self-storage projects, with licenses in California, Nevada, and Hawaii.
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431:, positioned on Highway 41 near the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino, plans to feature restaurants, retail spaces, and an advanced fuel and travel center, promoting Native American products.
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283:. However, the Chukchansi experienced a period of federal non-recognition and land loss until their federal recognition was reinstated in 1983, although they initially remained landless.
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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.
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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.
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is a diversified venture capital, merchant banking, and real estate firm in Central California, focusing on passive investments, mergers, acquisitions, and real estate development.
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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
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was acquired by the Chukchansi Indian Tribe in 2010, aligning with the tribe's values and expanding business opportunities in interior design and client services.
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423:, founded in 1953, serves as a leading lumber and construction supply wholesaler in Central California, catering to both commercial and residential contractors.
232:. This group has occupied the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills for over 12,000 years. The Chukchansi territory has traditionally spanned from the
892:
439:., owned by the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, operates as a tribal lending entity, subjecting users to the laws and jurisdiction of the tribe.
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and American settlers, the Chukchansi population faced significant challenges, including disease and displacement, dramatically reducing their numbers. The
888:"Park Service Announces Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians to Receive $ 51,201 in Historic Preservation Grant Dollars for American Indian Tribes"
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in 2003. Various initiatives have been undertaken to revive the Chukchansi language and to maintain the tribe's cultural heritage.
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455:, holding a Federal Firearms License, operates in Oakhurst and Mariposa, CA, offering services related to firearms transactions.
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Since the Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino opened in 2003, the Chukchansi Tribe has disenrolled more than half its members.
447:, established in 2011 by Chukchansi Inc., is a tribal-owned retailer offering Native American tobacco products in California.
272:
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The rancherĂa is served by the Coarsegold Union Elementary School District and Yosemite Joint Union High School District.
248:. Today, many Chukchansi reside near their tribal headquarters in the Picayune Rancheria, approximately 30 miles north of
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In recent years, the Chukchansi have worked to reclaim their heritage and land, notably establishing the
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Grasslands—The Forgotten Resource: The Cultural Ecology Of The Central California Grasslands
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650:"With debts paid, Chukchansi tribe to reap financial jackpot. But storm clouds are brewing"
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Power shutoff pepper spray used against occupiers of Chukchansi tribal office
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864:"The Official Website of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians"
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665:"Chukchansi Chucks Out 60 Members as Tribe Squabbles Over Casino Riches"
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of a significant portion of its members following the casino's opening.
593:"With Casino Revenues, Tribes Push to Preserve Languages, and Cultures"
368:) is 160 acres (650,000 m) large and located in Madera County, in
698:
http://collegian.csufresno.edu/2013/03/04/chukchansi-dispute-reviewed/
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The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians is affiliated to the
683:
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/491/transcript
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188:, covers 160 acres (1 km) in Madera County and serves as the
155:
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membership reportedly halved from approximately 1,800 to 900.
300:, marking a step toward economic and cultural revitalization.
819:
793:
A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and Peoples
856:"Tribe Donates $ 1 Million to Preserve Chukchansi Language"
527:
San Diego State University Library and Information Access.
883:
This American Life story on Picayune RancherĂa Chukchansi
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The tribe promotes education and has collaborated with
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Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians of California
893:"Topics in Chukchansi Yokuts Phonology and Morphology
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Topics in Chukchansi Yokuts Phonology and Morphology
763:"Chukchansi Tribe Cuts Dozens from Membership Rolls"
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814:(Thesis). Santa Clara, CA: Santa Clara University.
176:, affiliated with the Chukchansi subgroup of the
1512:Federally recognized tribes in the United States
686:Tribes Transcript from This American Life on NPR
622:. Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians.
524:"California Indians and Their Reservations: P."
850:(Thesis). California State University, Fresno.
913:
858:. Indian Country Media Network. May 10, 2012.
293:are also enrolled in the Picayune Rancheria.
8:
878:Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians
62:
1497:American Indian reservations in California
920:
906:
898:
828:"Chukchansi Yokuts Revitalization Project"
61:
714:"Hundreds expelled from Chukchansi tribe"
580:. Fresno State Department of Linguistics.
321:The tribe's administrative center is in
513:
935:Indian reservations and RancherĂas in
841:. California State University, Fresno.
833:. California State University, Fresno.
633:"Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino."
537:
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271:Following European contact, including
220:Traditional Chukchansi women's tattoos
820:"Chukchansi Gold Casino & Resort"
7:
1507:Native American tribes in California
80:Regions with significant populations
663:Conneller, Philip (June 30, 2019).
591:Onishi, Norimitsu (June 16, 2012).
298:Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino
198:Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino
761:Gligich, Daniel (April 18, 2023).
392:. They also hold naming rights to
25:
529:2010. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
386:Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino
184:, founded in 1912 and located in
929:
388:and associated dining venues in
98:
86:
846:Guekguezian, Peter Ara (2011).
648:Sheehan, Tim (April 22, 2022).
174:indigenous people of California
160:Location of Picayune Rancheria
1:
134:Traditional tribal religion,
578:"Indigenous Languages Group"
75:1200 enrolled members (2010)
795:. Oxford University Press.
791:Pritzker, Barry M. (2000).
701:Chukchansi Dispute Reviewed
1528:
767:The San Joaquin Valley Sun
688:. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
170:federally recognized tribe
1502:Madera County, California
839:"Scholarship Information"
810:Blume, Joanna M. (1994).
468:Disenrollment controversy
259:Photo of Chukchansi woman
146:
133:
117:
84:
74:
703:Retrieved 16 April 2014.
490:Bureau of Indian Affairs
461:FOI Commercial Interiors
244:valleys and down to the
558:. National Park Service
552:"Surviving Communities"
384:The tribe operates the
228:culture, indigenous to
1356:Manchester-Point Arena
638:Retrieved 26 Nov 2012.
488:In February 2014, the
445:Willow Glen Smoke Shop
370:Coarsegold, California
356:37.21139°N 119.70083°W
323:Coarsegold, California
260:
221:
186:Coarsegold, California
161:
45:37.21167°N 119.70083°W
333:Founded in 1912, the
258:
219:
159:
142:Related ethnic groups
65:of Chukchansi Indians
1063:Jamul Indian Village
380:Economic development
361:37.21139; -119.70083
273:Spanish missionaries
50:37.21167; -119.70083
429:Chukchansi Crossing
372:. The community of
352: /
246:Tehachapi Mountains
66:
41: /
598:The New York Times
335:Picayune Rancheria
304:Education Programs
261:
230:Central California
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182:Picayune Rancheria
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63:Picayune Rancheria
18:Picayune Rancheria
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1038:Fort Independence
802:978-0-19-513877-1
718:www.standupca.org
496:revenue in 2022.
405:MightyOak Capital
289:descendants from
277:discovery of gold
236:foothills to the
226:Chukchansi Yokuts
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16:(Redirected from
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421:Yosemite Lumber
413:Mighty Builders
394:Chukchansi Park
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1158:Santa Ysabel
1133:Round Valley
1053:Hoopa Valley
1033:Fort Bidwell
1018:Death Valley
945:Reservations
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772:February 24,
770:. Retrieved
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136:Christianity
59:Ethnic group
26:
1441:Smith River
1431:Sheep Ranch
1416:Rohnerville
1331:Laytonville
1261:Buena Vista
1231:Berry Creek
1168:Smith River
1143:San Pasqual
1098:Mesa Grande
1083:Los Coyotes
1043:Fort Mojave
1028:Ewiiaapaayp
359: /
347:119°42′03″W
190:tribal land
48: /
1486:Categories
1461:Upper Lake
1451:Susanville
1426:Santa Rosa
1361:Middletown
1346:Lower Lake
1321:Grindstone
1316:Greenville
1306:Enterprise
1301:Elk Valley
1281:Cloverdale
1266:Cedarville
1251:Big Valley
1241:Big Lagoon
1213:RancherĂas
1183:Tule River
1153:Santa Ynez
1148:Santa Rosa
1138:San Manuel
998:Chemehuevi
983:Bridgeport
937:California
785:References
562:August 26,
390:Coarsegold
344:37°12′41″N
317:Government
281:Rancherias
123:Chukchansi
106:California
36:119°42′3″W
33:37°12′42″N
1401:Resighini
1376:Northfork
1371:Mooretown
1296:Dry Creek
1256:Blue Lake
1246:Big Sandy
1163:Sebastian
1093:Mendocino
1088:Manzanita
1078:Lone Pine
1048:Fort Yuma
723:April 16,
500:Education
329:Rancheria
113:Languages
1471:XL Ranch
1456:Trinidad
1411:Robinson
1386:Picayune
1381:Paskenta
1236:Big Bend
1118:Pechanga
1073:La Posta
1068:La Jolla
973:Big Pine
950:Colonies
556:Yosemite
129:Religion
1396:Redding
1341:Lookout
1326:Jackson
1291:Cortina
1221:Alturas
1103:Morongo
212:History
119:English
1492:Yokuts
1466:Wilton
1421:Rumsey
1351:Lytton
1336:Likely
1311:Graton
1226:Auburn
1193:Washoe
1188:Viejas
1173:Sycuan
1128:Rincon
1008:Colusa
978:Bishop
963:Barona
799:
398:Fresno
250:Fresno
238:Fresno
180:. The
147:other
103:
91:
1276:Chico
1203:Yurok
1198:Wiyot
1178:Tejon
988:Campo
831:(PDF)
508:Notes
287:Awani
168:is a
1108:Pala
1023:Elem
948:and
797:ISBN
774:2024
725:2014
606:2024
564:2024
240:and
164:The
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