History of the Redding Rancheria In 1922, the Bureau of Indian Affairs purchased the land that is now considered the Redding Rancheria. The purchase was made to provide a place for homeless Indians to camp and live—and that is exactly what this land became for many Indians in Shasta and Trinity Counties. Our Rancheria was unique in that it included Indians not just from one tribe, but of Pit River, Wintu, and Yana descent. Prior to the government purchasing the land for Indian homes, many Indians gathered in the area to fish for salmon in Clear Creek. Life on the reservation was communal. People looked after one another’s children, planted gardens, and carried buckets of water from nearby Clear Creek’s natural springs. Indians on the Rancheria lived a self-sufficient lifestyle. The history of the treatment of Indians in California is tragic. As recently as 1958, the California Rancheria Act expressed Congress’s intent to eradicate the cultural identity of Indians. In the era of termination, Congress unilaterally extinguished the special status and rights of tribes. The Redding Rancheria was terminated by an act of Congress on July 6, 1959. This act set forth the distribution of assets of the Rancheria. The Rancheria was no longer recognized by the government, and the people residing on the Rancheria were no longer considered Indians. As the years progressed, the Rancheria was parceled off and sold to Indians and non-Indians alike. In spite of this, those living on the Rancheria continued their communal traditions and operated a traditional Tribal Council. As part of the California Rancheria Act, the Bureau of Indian Affairs was obligated to establish and maintain a domestic water system and provide a road along with housing. However, it built only a handful of substandard houses and failed to fulfill its other obligations. During the late 1970s, the Inter-Tribal Council of California was active in forming task forces challenging the termination of a number of tribes. In 1983, a California District Court ruled that the failure of the BIA to comply with its obligations under the California Rancheria Act invalidated the Act. As a result, the Redding Rancheria and 17 other tribes were restored as federally recognized Indian tribes. In 1987, the restored Redding Rancheria Tribe formally adopted its Constitution.
Vision Statement Redding Rancheria stands as a thriving sovereign nation, where pride in our tribal culture, history, and identity radiates within our people and throughout the broader community. We are architects of progress, shaping a future that honors our past while forging new opportunities on our traditional homelands. Redding Rancheria honors our elders and invests in our youth. We empower cultural preservation and relevant education to promote both innovation and tradition. By creating communication pathways between generations, we will strengthen our sustainability and build our self-reliance. Education honors our past, recognizes our present, and prepares for our future. Redding Rancheria is committed to fostering generational health. We are stewards of the land, and keepers of tomorrow. We are dedicated to holistic well-being. We nurture physical, mental, and spiritual health so that every tribal member can live with vitality and purpose. Redding Rancheria is an active and engaged community partner. We strive to build strong relationships with community leaders to strengthen local collaboration, build greater prosperity, and widen our collective impact. We lead by example to elevate the opportunities for all our people and those around us.
Goal 1 Create opportunities for cultural education within Redding Rancheria and in our broader community, which will help preserve heritage and promote community pride and belonging.
Objectives 1. Build a museum or cultural center. 2. Expand cultural classes, language classes, and curriculum in schools. 3. Protect sacred sites.
Goal 2 Expand access to practical and empowering educational opportunities that support lifelong learning, career development, and self-reliance.
Objectives 1. Offer more life skills classes for both adults and youth. 2. Create career development opportunities and promote trade school and hands-on technical learning.
Goal 3 Empower Tribal Members to achieve long-term prosperity by building systems of support that promote selfsufficiency, stability, and opportunity across all stages of life.
Objectives 1. Increase childcare options for Tribal Members. 2. Continue to offer programs and classes that enhance financial prosperity and skills to thrive in life.
Goal 4 Expand economic development that will sustain the Tribe through rapid growth and uncertain times through diversifying businesses and investments.
Objectives 1. Finish the new casino on Interstate 5. 2. Continue exploring and developing emerging business opportunities.
Goal 5 Strengthen the health of current and future generations through culturally sensitive medicine and healing the impacts of historical trauma, creating generational health* for our people.
Objectives 1. Maximize the Health Village to expand and create programs. 2. Invest in mental health and substance abuse initiatives.
*Through this Strategic Planning process, Redding Rancheria coined the term “generational health,” which is the opposite of the more commonly known phrase “generational trauma” in association with tribes and native people.
Goal 6 Promote Redding Rancheria’s achievements and opportunities to Tribal Members, community leaders, and partners to strengthen engagement and collaboration.
Objectives 1. Increase Tribal Member involvement in leadership roles, such as community boards, government offices, and speaking at events. 2. Continue to educate all people through creative and effective communication methods to increase engagement.
Goal 7 Protect and enhance Tribal sovereignty.
Objectives 1. Expand Tribal Court services. 2. Strengthen relationships with local, state and national governments.