Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation
Encyclopedia
The Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation is a federally recognized tribe of Native Americans
. The Tule River Reservation is the name of the tribe's reservation, which is located in Tulare County, California
. The tribe is made of up Yokut, Western Mono
, and Tubatulabal people
.
Tribal enrollment today is approximately 850.
. Historic tribes encountered by Europeans in the area included the Yokut
, Mono
and Tubatulabal
. The area was first colonized by the Spanish
and Mexicans, followed by European Americans after the US victory in the Mexican-American War in 1848.
Following the Tule River Indian War of 1856, a farm attached to the Tejon Agency was established in 1858 at the base of the foothills, near the present town of Porterville
. The farm was established on 1280 acres (5.2 km²) on the South Fork of Tule River. In 1860, Thomas Madden, an Indian service employee, gained personal title to the Tule River Farm, by using state school warrants. The federal government rented the Tule River Farm and paid Madden $1,000 per year.
In 1864, the Tule River Farm became the Tule River Reservation, one of four Indian reservations authorized by Congress. When the United States defeated the Owens Valley Indians in 1863, they were removed to the reservation, whose population nearly doubled. In 1864, the population consisted of 450 Tule River Indians and 350 Owens River Indians who were relocated there from Fort Tejon
.
The settlers around the growing town of Porterville began to demand removal of the Tule River Farm to a more distant location. Indian agents clamored to provide the Indians with a more permanent home. Some also argued the need to separate the Indians from unscrupulous individuals who entered the reservation to entice the Indians to buy cheap liquor. As a result, the Tule River Indian Reservation was relocated; in 1873 it was established by Presidential Executive Order of Ulysses S. Grant
as a homeland for Tule River, Kings River, Owens River, Monache Cajon and other scattered bands of Indians.
While the Tule River Indian Tribe includes Mono
and Tubatulabal
members, the majority of the tribe are Yokut. Traditionally, 60 Yokut tribes lived in south central California to the east of Porterville. By the end of the 19th century, their population was reduced by 75% due to warfare and high fatalities from European diseases. The surviving Yokut banded together on the Tule River Reservation, including the Wukchumni
tribe of Yokut.
Current officers are:
The main piece of governing legislation is the Tule River Indian Tribe Constitution and Bylaws approved January 15, 1936 http://www.tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/images/council/constitution-bylaws.pdf
and north of Bakersfield
. It occupies 55356 acres (224 km²). 566 tribal members live on the reservation.
Eagle Mountain Casino
http://www.eaglemtncasino.com
Eagle Mountain Casino is the only full service casino in Tulare County offering local residents gaming 24 hours a day. With over 1400 of the newest slot machines, 12 table games, live poker tournaments, the Acorn Room Steakhouse and many other dining options. The new name of the steak house is called the River.
Tule River Aero Industries
Tule River Aero-Industries is a 20000 square feet (1,858.1 m²) facility that is an FAA major engine and airframe repair station equipped with a full line aircraft sales department. TRAI is a unique blend of entrepreneurship, aviation, public and private cooperation with Native American culture. Having service expertise in both general and business aviation aircraft.
Eagle Feather Trading Post
Eagle Feather Trading Post is one of the largest convenience stores in Tulare County, located on Hwy 190 just above Lake Success. The store has a full line of groceries; cold beer, wine, fishing and bait supplies. They carry National and Native brands of cigarettes and tobacco products. Gas, diesel, and propane are the cheapest price available. Subway sandwich shop is located within the store. For the RVers they also have a free dump station and a pet run. Plenty of parking is available for customers, with security on site 24 hours a day.
Tule River Indian Health Center is governed by a Health Advisory Board composed of local tribal members from the Tule River Indian Reservation.
Painted Rock http://www.tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/images/history/painted-rock.pdf
Coyote and the Moon http://www.tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/images/history/coyote-moon.pdf
Coyote and the Sun http://www.tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/images/history/coyote-sun.pdf
Big Foot, The Hairy Man http://www.tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/images/history/big-foot.pdf
Soda Springs http://www.tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/images/history/soda-springs.pdf
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
. The Tule River Reservation is the name of the tribe's reservation, which is located in Tulare County, California
Tulare County, California
Tulare County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, south of Fresno. Sequoia National Park is located in the county, as are part of Kings Canyon National Park, in its northeast corner , and part of Mount Whitney, on its eastern border...
. The tribe is made of up Yokut, Western Mono
Mono tribe
The Mono are a Native American people who traditionally live in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Eastern Sierra , the Mono Basin, and adjacent areas of the Great Basin.-Culture and geography:...
, and Tubatulabal people
Tübatulabal people
The Tübatulabal are Native Americans whose ancestral home was in the Kern River basin, in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California.Their traditional culture was similar to that of the Yokuts, who occupied most the of the southern half of the California's Central Valley. Acorns, piñon...
.
Tribal enrollment today is approximately 850.
History
For thousands of years, this area was inhabited by varying cultures of indigenous peoplesIndigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
. Historic tribes encountered by Europeans in the area included the Yokut
Yokut
The Yokuts are an ethnic group of Native Americans native to central California.Prior to European contact, the Yokuts consisted of up to 60 separate tribes speaking the same language....
, Mono
Mono tribe
The Mono are a Native American people who traditionally live in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Eastern Sierra , the Mono Basin, and adjacent areas of the Great Basin.-Culture and geography:...
and Tubatulabal
Tübatulabal people
The Tübatulabal are Native Americans whose ancestral home was in the Kern River basin, in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California.Their traditional culture was similar to that of the Yokuts, who occupied most the of the southern half of the California's Central Valley. Acorns, piñon...
. The area was first colonized by the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Mexicans, followed by European Americans after the US victory in the Mexican-American War in 1848.
Following the Tule River Indian War of 1856, a farm attached to the Tejon Agency was established in 1858 at the base of the foothills, near the present town of Porterville
Porterville, California
Porterville is a city in the San Joaquin Valley, in Tulare County, California, United States. Porterville's population was 54,165 at the 2010 census. The city's population grew dramatically as the city annexed many properties and unincorporated areas in and around Porterville. Not included in the...
. The farm was established on 1280 acres (5.2 km²) on the South Fork of Tule River. In 1860, Thomas Madden, an Indian service employee, gained personal title to the Tule River Farm, by using state school warrants. The federal government rented the Tule River Farm and paid Madden $1,000 per year.
In 1864, the Tule River Farm became the Tule River Reservation, one of four Indian reservations authorized by Congress. When the United States defeated the Owens Valley Indians in 1863, they were removed to the reservation, whose population nearly doubled. In 1864, the population consisted of 450 Tule River Indians and 350 Owens River Indians who were relocated there from Fort Tejon
Fort Tejon
Fort Tejon in California is a former United States Army outpost which was intermittently active from June 24, 1854, until September 11, 1864. It is located in the Grapevine Canyon area of Tejon Pass along Interstate 5, the main route through the mountains separating the Central Valley from Los...
.
The settlers around the growing town of Porterville began to demand removal of the Tule River Farm to a more distant location. Indian agents clamored to provide the Indians with a more permanent home. Some also argued the need to separate the Indians from unscrupulous individuals who entered the reservation to entice the Indians to buy cheap liquor. As a result, the Tule River Indian Reservation was relocated; in 1873 it was established by Presidential Executive Order of Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
as a homeland for Tule River, Kings River, Owens River, Monache Cajon and other scattered bands of Indians.
While the Tule River Indian Tribe includes Mono
Mono tribe
The Mono are a Native American people who traditionally live in the central Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Eastern Sierra , the Mono Basin, and adjacent areas of the Great Basin.-Culture and geography:...
and Tubatulabal
Tübatulabal people
The Tübatulabal are Native Americans whose ancestral home was in the Kern River basin, in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains of California.Their traditional culture was similar to that of the Yokuts, who occupied most the of the southern half of the California's Central Valley. Acorns, piñon...
members, the majority of the tribe are Yokut. Traditionally, 60 Yokut tribes lived in south central California to the east of Porterville. By the end of the 19th century, their population was reduced by 75% due to warfare and high fatalities from European diseases. The surviving Yokut banded together on the Tule River Reservation, including the Wukchumni
Wukchumni
The Wukchumni are a Yokuts tribe of California which has members residing on the Tule River Reservation....
tribe of Yokut.
Government
They ratified their current tribal constitution on 1936 and last amended it in 1974. Their Tribal Council is democratically elected and includes a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer and five Council Members. The Tule River Tribal Council Consists of nine council members. Each member is voted for by the Tule River Tribal Members. The elected officials then decide who will perform functions of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.Current officers are:
- Ryan Garfield, Chairman
- Buck Carothers, Vice-Chairman
- Willie J. Carrillo Sr., Secretary
- Michele McDarment, Treasurer
- Kevin Bonds, Member
- James Diaz, Member
- Duane M. Garfield Sr., Member
- Rhoda Hunter, Member
- Heather Teran, Member
The main piece of governing legislation is the Tule River Indian Tribe Constitution and Bylaws approved January 15, 1936 http://www.tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/images/council/constitution-bylaws.pdf
Reservation
The Tule River Reservation was established in 1873 by a US Executive Order in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is south of FresnoFresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
and north of Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
. It occupies 55356 acres (224 km²). 566 tribal members live on the reservation.
Programs
The tribe operates many programs to serve its members including a health clinic, a child care center, an adult and vocational education center, a college scholarship program, a housing authority, and a chemical dependency treatment center.Casino
The Tule River Tribe has three enterprises that assist the tribe in making their community a better place. Through these enterprises, the Tule River Tribe is able to be a self sufficient entity improving the everyday lives of their members.Eagle Mountain Casino
http://www.eaglemtncasino.com
Eagle Mountain Casino is the only full service casino in Tulare County offering local residents gaming 24 hours a day. With over 1400 of the newest slot machines, 12 table games, live poker tournaments, the Acorn Room Steakhouse and many other dining options. The new name of the steak house is called the River.
Tule River Aero Industries
Tule River Aero-Industries is a 20000 square feet (1,858.1 m²) facility that is an FAA major engine and airframe repair station equipped with a full line aircraft sales department. TRAI is a unique blend of entrepreneurship, aviation, public and private cooperation with Native American culture. Having service expertise in both general and business aviation aircraft.
Eagle Feather Trading Post
Eagle Feather Trading Post is one of the largest convenience stores in Tulare County, located on Hwy 190 just above Lake Success. The store has a full line of groceries; cold beer, wine, fishing and bait supplies. They carry National and Native brands of cigarettes and tobacco products. Gas, diesel, and propane are the cheapest price available. Subway sandwich shop is located within the store. For the RVers they also have a free dump station and a pet run. Plenty of parking is available for customers, with security on site 24 hours a day.
Tule River Indian Health Center Inc.
The Tule River Indian Health Center is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization founded in 1973 and dedicated to meeting the healthcare and health education needs of the Native American communities in Tulare County.Tule River Indian Health Center is governed by a Health Advisory Board composed of local tribal members from the Tule River Indian Reservation.
Stories & Legends
Many of the Stories told by the Elders of the Tule River Indian reservation have been handed down from generation to generation. Almost all of these stories reflect the ways and life of the Tule River Tribes. All of the stories however, carry a strong message to the youth and adults in the region. Significant historical facts on these stories come from Painted Rock. This is a formation located next to the Tule River, on the Reservation.Painted Rock http://www.tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/images/history/painted-rock.pdf
Coyote and the Moon http://www.tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/images/history/coyote-moon.pdf
Coyote and the Sun http://www.tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/images/history/coyote-sun.pdf
Big Foot, The Hairy Man http://www.tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/images/history/big-foot.pdf
Soda Springs http://www.tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/sites/default/files/images/history/soda-springs.pdf