About North Fork Rancheria, California
The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians is a federally recognized tribe of Mono people in California. They are located in Madera County, in the Sierra Nevada foothills northeast of Fresno. The rancheria includes the North Fork of the San Joaquin River and its tributaries. The tribe has about 500 members.
The North Fork Rancheria was established in 1933 as a result of the Indian Reorganization Act. The tribe has been working to regain federal recognition since the 1970s. In 1983, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the North Fork Rancheria had not been properly disestablished, and that the tribe should be given federal recognition. The tribe finally regained federal recognition in 1990.
The North Fork Rancheria is governed by a Tribal Council, which consists of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and five Council members. The Tribal Council is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the tribe on a variety of issues, including economic development, education, health care, and housing.
The North Fork Rancheria is home to the North Fork Mono Indian Education Center, which provides educational opportunities for tribal members from preschool through high school. The tribe also operates a Head Start program and a daycare center. The tribe has its own police force, fire department, and ambulance service.
The North Fork Rancheria is working to improve its economic development. The tribe operates a gas station and convenience store, as well as a lumber mill and sawmill. The tribe is also involved in tourism, with several bed and breakfast businesses on the rancheria. The tribe is hoping to build a hotel and casino on the rancheria, which would create jobs and generate revenue for the tribe.