PLACERVILLE, CA – The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) have formalized a significant land-into-trust acquisition during a signing ceremony at the Shingle Springs Rancheria. This process, a pivotal function of the BIA, establishes tribal jurisdiction and bolsters sovereignty.
The land in question, located in Sutter County and known as Verona, was historically one of the tribe’s ancestral Nisenan villages called Wóllok. The tribe reacquired this portion of its homeland in 2020.
“As descendants of the original Nisenan and Miwok peoples of the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Foothills, our roots to these lands run deep,” stated Tribal Chairwoman Regina Cuellar.
The tribe’s presence in the region spans generations, enduring significant historical challenges, including early 19th-century epidemics, the establishment of the Sutter Land Grant and Fort (1839-1849), and the Gold Rush beginning in 1848. Following these disruptions, tribal families re-established themselves in Sacramento and at Wóllok, the land now placed into trust.
“Our tribe received its first federal recognition in 1916 following a census of our ancestors living in both Sacramento and Verona,” noted Chairwoman Cuellar. “By 1920, the U.S. government acquired undeveloped land in El Dorado County intended for our relocation.”
Since then, the tribe has thrived in El Dorado County, developing successful economic ventures, including Red Hawk Resort + Casino, the Shingle Springs Health & Wellness Center, and Red Hawk Travel Center. These enterprises have facilitated the expansion of governmental services, including new tribal housing, fire and police departments, a tribal court, and the state’s first joint-jurisdiction court.
“While our tribal government has been headquartered in Shingle Springs since 1976, our membership has always been and will always be connected to the land of our ancestors,” emphasized Chairwoman Cuellar. “By establishing these physical spaces and returning them to tribal stewardship, we are creating opportunities for meaningful community engagement while preserving our cultural practices and traditions that will strengthen our tribe’s foundation for generations to come.”
Source: Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Press Release
