Who We Are

The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians is a federally recognized Tribe, and is committed to protect and enhance the quality of life of its members by preserving, protecting and promoting its history, culture and traditions; promoting self-sufficiency and a strong work ethic; exercising the powers of self-government and sovereign immunity; while providing social, health, economic and educational resources, opportunities and services that contribute to the well-being of the tribal community.

Our history

The members of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians are descendants of the Miwok and Southern Maidu “Nisenan” Indians who thrived in California’s fertile central valley for thousands of years before contact with Europeans. Although early encounters between Indians and Spanish colonizers in the late 1700s resulted in some violence and spread of disease, it was not until the California gold rush of 1849 that the Miwok and Southern Maidu “Nisenan” Indians experienced devastating and sustained genocide. As a result of the gold rush, Indians in northern California lost the use and control of their aboriginal territories, which forced whole tribes to scatter. In 1769, an estimated 310,000 nave people lived within the borders of modern-day California. By 1913, only 17,000 Indian people remained in the area. Despite these harrowing obstacles, Miwok and Southern Maidu “Nisenan” Indians survived the 19th century.

In 1916, while conducng a census of Indian people, an agent of the Department of the Interior discovered Indians living along the Sacramento River. The federal government called these native peoples the “Sacramento-Verona Band of Homeless Indians” and set about acquiring land for them. That land is known as the Shingle Springs Rancheria, just off presentday U.S. Highway 50. In 1970, the Tribe formally organized under their Articles of Association and set up home sites on the Rancheria. In 1976, the Tribe’s Articles of Association were approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Under the Articles of Association, the ultimate authority of the Tribe rests with its general membership.

An elected Tribal Council governs the Tribe, and a Tribal Chairperson carries out the day-to-day operations. The Tribal Council is responsible for all government functions (legislative, judicial and executive) while the Chairperson has general authority when the Council is not in session. Since the adoption of the Tribe’s Articles of Association in 1976, the Tribe has sought to honor and protect its territory and cultural heritage to benefit future generations. On the journey to economic self-sufficiency, the Tribe faced major obstacles. In parcular, the 1965 realignment of U.S. Highway 50 landlocked the Rancheria. From 1965 unl 2008, the only access to the Rancheria was by a narrow, winding, rural road. The severe restriction on access to the Rancheria proved a major impediment to the economic growth of the Tribe. In 2008, after years of struggle and litigation, the Tribe celebrated the opening of a newly constructed overpass which provides access to the Rancheria via Highway 50. The Rancheria has changed significantly from its humble beginnings and today is a bustling, vibrant community.

The Tribe is financially independent and has diverse enterprises and programs including, most notably, Red Hawk Casino, the Shingle Springs Health & Wellness Center and the Tribal TANF Program. Its Business Development Board is dedicated to developing other enterprises for the Tribe’s long-term sustainability. The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians is deeply commied to sustaining and improving the quality of life in El Dorado County. This guiding principle is a responsibility and a privilege of the Tribe as it strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of its members, employees, and patrons as well as the cizens and guests of El Dorado County.