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Cher Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria

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The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria is a federally recognized tribe of Chetco, Hupa, Karuk, Tolowa, Wiyot, and Yurok people in Humboldt County, California. As of the 2010 Census the population was 132.

Contents

Government

The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community is headquartered in Trinidad, California. In 1961, the tribe organized under the Articles of Association. In June 2008, a new Constitution was ratified, replaced the Articles of Association. The tribe is governed by a democratically elected five-person community council. The current tribal administration is as follows.

  • Chairman: Garth Sundberg
  • Vice Chairman: Zach Brown
  • Secretary / Treasurer: Trina Mathewson
  • Council Member Seat #1: James Brown
  • Council Member Seat #2: Fred Sundberg SR
  • Reservation

    The Trinidad Rancheria (41°03′15″N 124°07′49″W) is a federally recognized ranchería occupying three parcels of land with a total area of over 80 acres (32 ha). in Humboldt County. It was established in 1906 to house homeless local California Indians. An additional 60 acres (24 ha) of land was purchased for the rancheria in 1908. The tribe's lands are within Yurok ancestral territory.

    The Tsurai Health Center serves residents of the rancheria. Health problems are posed by dioxin used by US Forest Service and timber companies to retard deciduous tree growth in the local forested areas.

    Economic development

    The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community owns and operates the Cher-Ae Heights Casino, Sunrise Deli, Seascape Restaurant, Trinidad pier, Sunset Restaurant, Firewater Lounge, and all are located in Trinidad.

    Culture

    The tribes of the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community are known in particular for their basket weaving. The tribe offers basket weaving classes taught in the Yurok language. They have lived as hunter-gatherers and fisherpeople in the coastal redwood forests for millennia. Salmon, clams, mussels, ocean fish, deer, elk, and smaller game have been traditional staples, as have wild berries and tan oak acorns.

    References

    Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria Wikipedia