Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 607
Geyserville, CA 95441

Website

http://www.drycreekrancheria.com

Casino(s)

Cultural History

The Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians encountered the Russians first before any other tribe. The Russians met them during the nineteenth to twentieth century when explorations have started. The Europeans soon discovered the tribe and finally, the Americans. The territories of the tribe were subject to the eyes of intruders because of the richness in agriculture and value. When the settlers multiplied, the government soon saw the potential of the land and decided to convert it by convincing the tribe to relocate. The government then decided to build reservations for the resettlement of the Pomo Indians. The reservations were also called "rancherias". 
 
The relocation was not easy for the Indians. They were forced to relocate in a place almost alien to them. The relocation is now considered as the “Most Destructive” and also regarded as the “Death March”. Their population was instantly trimmed down to fifteen thousand from the original three hundred thirty three thousand. This was in the early nineteenth century and in the 1910 census data, their number declined to only one thousand two hundred. Moreover, the tribe was not federally recognized until 1915 thus the name Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians. Their current site is the Dry Creek Rancheria, stretching up to 75 acres in the mountain slopes. Oftentimes, their reservation is flooded by the nearby water forms like the Warm Springs Dam and the Lake Sonoma.
 
Over the years, the most famous industry among the Pomo Indians is the basket weaving. It is part of their ancestral heritage and continues to grow over the years. Jewelry making is one of the most important industries and same it is when it comes to hunting animals and harvesting berries. Their ancestors also made use of clamshells as money thus they were labeled as the “moneyers” of Northern California.
 
The Pomo Indians is not actually one tribe. Instead, it is composed of 21 sovereign communities who all have different dialects. All of their groups have made significant connections with the northern California people who are also known as the “Redwood Empire”. The Redwood Empire extends up to Ukiah. The Southern Pomo Indians are called Mihilakawna and the Makahmo. These people have also shown signs of habitat in around the Dry Creek area.  Today, the descendants of these people are to be found in the Alexander valley and are known to be the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians.
 
The Dry Creek Rancheria of Pomo Indians is expecting a huge leap of revenues. They are currently looking forward to the $26,000,000 from the local wages and an additional $75,000,000 coming from the earnings of their vendors. Their tribal casino is the major employer having more than 800 employees.

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