Battle for Wappo Tribe Recognition

Santa Rosa Junior College will present a talk by Scott Gabaldon, tribal chairman of the Mishewal Wappo Tribe of Alexander Valley, will speak on the struggle to have their tribal status restored by the federal government.

The Mishewal Wappo Tribe of Alexander Valley is the last remaining Wappo Tribe in existence, with 340 living members. Scholars have noted that the Wappo Indians are among the oldest tribes in the State of California. In 1851, there were approximately 8,000 Wappo Indians, who occupied the great valleys of Sonoma and Napa Counties. In 1959 they lost their land and tribal status under an act of Congress aimed at privatizing California’s small Indian reservations. Scott Gabaldon is the tribal chairman of the Mishewal Wappo Tribe of Alexander Valley, and he has been leading the fight to have their tribal status restored by the federal government. Napa and Sonoma counties oppose restoring tribal status out of fear that granting recognition would allow the tribe to pursue construction of a casino within their boundaries. On July 25, 2013, the tribe and counties will have a final face off in U.S. District Court that will determine the fate of the Wappo people. Scott Gabaldon will present the story of the Mishewal Wappo Tribe.

The event will start at 7:00pm and run until 8:30pm in Newman Auditorium on the Santa Rosa campus. Doors will open at 6:30pm. The event is free, and parking permits are required on campus in self service lots. The talk is co-sponsored by the SRJC Behavioral Sciences and Physics departments and the Native American Student Council.

Q&A will follow. More Information:
http://www.mishewalwappotribe.com