The Tolowa Dee-niʼ Nation, previously known as Smith River Rancheria, is a federally recognized tribe of Tolowa people in Del Norte County, California."Smith River Rancheria." SDSU: California Indians and Their Reservations. Retrieved 4 June 2012. They are Athabascan people, distantly related to northern Athabascans of eastern Alaska and western Canada, as well as the Apache and Navajo peoples of the American Southwest.
As of the 2020 Census the population of this group was 423. Tolowa people are also part of other federally recognized tribes in northern California and Oregon.
Government The Tolowa Dee-niʼ Nation is headquartered in Smith River, California. They are governed by a democratically elected, seven-member tribal council. Their current tribal administration is as follows: Chairperson: Jeri Lynn Thompson Vice Chairperson: Scott Sullivan Secretary: Debbie Boardman Treasurer: Jaytuk Steinruck Councilmember: Dr. Joseph Giovannetti Councilmember: Amanda O'Connell Councilmember: Dorothy Wait Executive Director: Troy Ralstin
Reservation The Tolowa Dee-niʼ Nation is a federally recognized tribe, which owns 805 acres of land on or adjacent to its reservation in Del Norte County, north of Crescent City. The Tolowa Dee-niʼ Nation was established in 1906; their land used to consist of only 30-acres.Pritzker 148 The nearest community is Smith River, while the nearest incorporated city is Brookings, Oregon, about 10 miles to the north. In 1862, the US Government established the Smith River Reservation, which consisted of 16,000 acres and which was abandoned by the U.S. in 1868.
Economic development
The Tolowa Dee-niʼ Nation (Smith River Rancheria) owns and operates the Lucky 7 Casino and Xaa-wan'-k'wvt Village Resort in Smith River, California."California Casinos - Indian Casinos by Tribe." 500 Nations. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
Notable citizens Eunice Bommelyn, Tolowa language proponent, cultural advocate, genealogist, and historian. Loren Bommelyn, basket maker, traditionalist Alicia Guerrero, para-athlete
Notes
External links Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, official website , Four Directions Institute