7.2 Establishment of reservations and rancherias
2 min read•july 25, 2024
The U.S. government established reservations and rancherias for Native Americans in California, aiming to consolidate populations and open land for white settlement. This process involved treaty negotiations, forced relocation, and attempts at assimilation through policies like boarding schools.
Conditions on reservations and rancherias were often harsh, with limited resources and restrictions on movement and cultural practices. The system disrupted traditional lifestyles, suppressed native languages, and caused economic hardship, leading to long-term consequences for Native American communities.
Establishment of Reservations and Rancherias
Establishment of Indian reservations
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- Process of establishing reservations involved treaty negotiations between California tribes and U.S. government led to land allocation by federal government and forced relocation of Native American communities (Trail of Tears)
- Rationale for creating reservations aimed to consolidate Native American populations opened land for white settlement and attempted to "civilize" Native Americans through assimilation policies (boarding schools)
- Reservations typically larger than rancherias established earlier and federally recognized with defined boundaries and legal status
Conditions on reservations vs rancherias
- Reservations often located in remote and isolated areas with limited access to resources and services suffered from overcrowding and poor sanitation (lack of clean water)
- Rancherias generally comprised smaller communities closer to urban areas with variable access to resources depending on location
- Both faced common challenges including loss of traditional lands and resources restrictions on movement and cultural practices inadequate healthcare and education and economic hardship and unemployment
- Reservations experienced greater federal oversight and control while rancherias received less federal support and recognition
Impact of reservation system
- Disrupted traditional lifestyles by forcing sedentarism on nomadic tribes and altering social structures and family dynamics
- Suppressed native languages and religious practices led to loss of traditional knowledge and skills and eroded tribal identities
- Caused economic consequences through loss of access to traditional hunting and gathering grounds forced transition to wage labor and agriculture and created dependency on government rations and assistance
- Resulted in long-term effects such as intergenerational trauma persistence of poverty and health disparities and spurred efforts to revitalize cultural practices and languages
Role of Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Established originally as part of the War Department later transferred to the Department of the Interior
- Managed land and resource allocation enforced law on reservations and provided education and healthcare
- Implemented assimilation policies through boarding school system allotment of tribal lands and suppression of traditional cultural practices
- Criticized for paternalistic approach mismanagement of tribal resources and corruption and abuse of power
- Evolved towards supporting tribal economic development initiatives and collaborating on cultural preservation efforts
Key Terms to Review (17)
California Gold Rush Impact: The California Gold Rush was a massive migration of people to California following the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848. This event not only transformed California's population but also had profound effects on Native American communities, leading to significant changes in their land ownership, culture, and overall way of life as settlers encroached on their territories.
California Indian Education Project: The California Indian Education Project (CIEP) was an initiative established in the 1960s aimed at improving educational outcomes for Native American students in California. This project focused on culturally relevant curriculum and community involvement, recognizing the historical and ongoing challenges faced by Native American communities, particularly in relation to their education in a system that often marginalized their culture and history.
California Mission System: The California Mission System was a network of 21 religious missions established by Spanish colonizers between 1769 and 1833 to convert Native Americans to Christianity and expand Spanish influence in California. This system not only aimed at religious conversion but also played a significant role in the colonization process, leading to the establishment of agricultural settlements and the eventual displacement of Indigenous populations.
Cobell v. Salazar: Cobell v. Salazar was a landmark class-action lawsuit filed in 1996 that addressed the mismanagement of trust funds held by the federal government on behalf of Native American beneficiaries. This case highlighted the government's failure to provide accurate accounting and proper management of these funds, which stemmed from land leases, royalties, and other financial dealings. The settlement reached in 2012 had significant implications for the establishment of reservations and rancherias, as it recognized the need for better financial oversight and accountability in federal dealings with Native Americans.
Dawes Act: The Dawes Act, enacted in 1887, was a federal law aimed at assimilating Native Americans into American society by allotting them individual plots of land and granting them U.S. citizenship. This act was intended to break up communal tribal lands into individual ownership, leading to a significant loss of Native American land and culture, while also influencing various aspects of their social and political existence.
Governor Peter H. Burnett: Governor Peter H. Burnett was the first elected governor of California, serving from 1849 to 1851, during a pivotal time when the state was grappling with the impact of the Gold Rush and its implications for Native American populations. His administration was marked by policies that promoted westward expansion and significantly influenced the establishment of reservations and rancherias for Native Americans in California.
Indian Reorganization Act: The Indian Reorganization Act, passed in 1934, aimed to reverse the assimilation policies of the Dawes Act and restore self-governance to Native American tribes. It provided for the establishment of tribal governments and recognized the importance of preserving tribal identity, culture, and land rights.
John Sutter: John Sutter was a Swiss immigrant who became a prominent figure in California's history, primarily known for establishing Sutter's Fort in 1839 and playing a significant role in the early days of the Gold Rush. His endeavors not only transformed the landscape of California but also had devastating effects on Native communities, as the influx of settlers and miners led to conflict and displacement.
Miller & Lux Case: The Miller & Lux Case refers to a significant legal dispute in the early 20th century involving the rights of Native Americans in California regarding land ownership and water rights. This case highlighted the tensions between agricultural interests and Native American land claims, reflecting broader issues of land dispossession and the establishment of reservations.
Rancheria: A rancheria is a term used to describe a small, often unincorporated community or settlement, primarily associated with Native American tribes in California. These areas were established as a response to the displacement of Native peoples, often serving as a means for tribes to maintain their cultural identity and community life in the face of colonial pressures and policies that led to their land loss.
Reservation: A reservation is a designated area of land set aside by the federal government for the use and occupation of Native American tribes. These lands were often established as a response to the displacement of Indigenous peoples, aiming to provide them with a degree of autonomy and control over their lives, while simultaneously enabling the government to manage Native American populations within defined borders.
Self-governance: Self-governance refers to the ability of a group, such as a Native American tribe, to manage its own affairs and make decisions independent of external authorities. This concept is crucial for the empowerment of tribes, enabling them to exercise their rights, maintain their cultural identity, and create policies that reflect their unique needs and values.
Termination policy: Termination policy refers to a set of federal government policies initiated in the 1950s aimed at ending the special relationship between Native American tribes and the United States government. This policy sought to terminate the federal recognition of tribes, dissolve reservations, and promote assimilation into mainstream American society, which had significant impacts on land ownership, tribal sovereignty, and cultural identity.
Treaty of Fort Laramie: The Treaty of Fort Laramie, signed in 1851, was an agreement between the United States and several Native American tribes, establishing territories for the tribes and ensuring safe passage for settlers on the Oregon Trail. This treaty marked a significant moment in U.S.-Native relations as it attempted to define land rights, but ultimately led to further conflicts and the establishment of reservations as the U.S. government increasingly encroached upon these lands.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, marked the end of the Mexican-American War and resulted in Mexico ceding a significant portion of its northern territories to the United States. This treaty reshaped the borders and had profound effects on the lives of Native Americans and land use in California.
Tribal sovereignty: Tribal sovereignty refers to the inherent authority of indigenous tribes to govern themselves within the borders of the United States. This concept recognizes tribes as distinct political entities with the power to make their own laws, manage their resources, and establish their own governance systems, while still being subject to certain federal laws.
United States v. Sioux Nation: United States v. Sioux Nation was a landmark legal case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1980 that addressed the U.S. government's breach of treaty obligations towards the Sioux Nation regarding land and compensation. The case centered on the Black Hills of South Dakota, which the Sioux had been promised in treaties but were taken by the government after the discovery of gold. This decision recognized the government's wrongful actions and awarded financial compensation to the Sioux Nation, highlighting the broader implications of land treaties and sovereignty for Native American tribes.