Nestled along the Russian River between Healdsburg and Cloverdale,
the Alexander Valley of Northern California has a rich history of growing
and harvesting grapes for wine. The Pomo Indians, who are not one tribe
but rather a group of more than 70 different tribes, have ties to the
Alexander Valley that date back as far as 12,000 years ago. Descendants
of these early inhabitants are now members of the Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians.
Historically, the Pomo Indians had a rich and affluent culture. They
relied on several hundred regional plants and animals for food with
their primary harvest being acorns. Through the creation of intricate
basketry the Pomo were able to gather food and amongst other things,
supply cradles for babies. Tribal members also designed ornate jewelry
for tribal celebrations and used the pieces as a means for trade. In
addition to jewelry, shaped clamshells were produced as a source of
money and were traded. Perhaps it was this affinity for trading that
attracted the migrating Russians.
Exploitation of the Pomo culture by European, Russian and American groups,
throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, imposed heavy tolls on these proud
and noble people. By the mid-1800s, American settlers searching for new
lives and California gold had entered the region in such numbers that
the federal government chose to re-settle the Native Americans of the area
onto two newly established reservations. Tribal members refer to this most
destructive period in Pomoan history as the "Death March." For decades, the
Pomo people were forcibly relocated from area to area, and their original
tribal territory is now under water at the Warm Springs Dam and Lake Sonoma.
Finally, in 1915, the Dry Creek Rancheria was established.
Today the Dry Creek Rancheria covers only 75 acres of what was once an
86,400-acre territory. The reservation exists as a sovereign nation much
the same as it did in 1915, not only in demographics, but also in its state
of economic development. Without their traditional resources and land, most
of the Tribe has assimilated into American society; however, throughout
these trying times, they still remain a strong community. Until the
creation of Indian Gaming, the Tribe's opportunities for economic
self-reliance were extremely limited.
Casino profits are helping the Tribe provide its people with a better
quality of life while restoring their rich cultural heritage. New
opportunities are becoming available for the Tribe that once were
unimaginable. The Pomo are now able to provide better housing for
tribal members, generate funding for improved education and invest in
the future of their youth by assisting in college educations, as well
as sustaining better elder care and child health care.
Additionally, the tribe has committed to making a positive impact in the
local community - enhancing the economy by providing jobs, supporting
local organizations and working with agencies to improve local
infrastructure. By capitalizing on the casino's available resources the
tribe has been able to donate to local schools and fire departments and
maintains long lasting relationships with their neighbors.
River Rock Casino is an illustration of the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians'
commitment to community, culture and creativity. The casino was designed
to be both aesthetically pleasing and a reflection of the traditions of
the Tribe. It is the Tribe's pleasure to share their new enterprise with
its friends and neighbors.
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