Establishment of the Tribe:
The Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California (the “Tribe”) was established with the purchase of one hundred eight (108) acres of land, initiated by members of the small Tribe in July of 1910. The Tribe was appropriated by the Congressional Act for California landless Indians in 1906. The original ancestors of the Middletown Rancheria, also known as Lake Miwok Indians, found themselves landless and homeless during the 1800’s, and new comers settled in the area of Middletown and throughout Lake County.
With the establishment of the Middletown Rancheria at the turn of the century, members of other Tribal groups, such as Pomo, Wappo and Wintun joined with the People of the Tribe, either through marriage or customary adoption. The native language of the Tribe is Lake Miwok. The original five (5) families comprises the present Tribal Membership of one hundred twenty-two (122) recognized adult Tribal Members, which is the General Council, and eighty-eight (88) recognized Tribal minor children. The Middletown Rancheria’s entire membership is two hundred-one (211) Tribal Members. There are approximately twenty-five (25) families that reside on the Rancheria and Tribal Members reside in Middletown the Lake County area, throughout California, and various states across the United States.
Federal Recognition of the Tribe:
Middletown Rancheria is federally recognized by the Department of Secretary of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Tribe is a Nation within the United States of America and is on the same level of government status as the State. The Tribe is self-governed by its inherent Sovereignty and exercises its powers in order to organize for the common good, to govern ourselves pursuant to our own laws, to preserve and protect our common and natural resources and to provide for the welfare and prosperity of our “People”. The Tribe has an adopted Constitution, which provides for the basis of all governing laws created by the Tribe. Ordinances are governing laws created and established by the Tribe such as, Gaming Ordinance, Election Procedures & Ordinance, Tribal Tax Code, Water Quality, etc.
General Council Tribal Membership:
The General Council is comprised of the adult Tribal Membership, who are eighteen (18) years of age and older. The General Council conducts duly called monthly meetings to review all reporting and business of the Tribe. The General Council reserves all rights to enter the Tribe into financial obligations and/or economic development on behalf of the Tribe.
Tribal Council Elected Officials:
The General Council elects Tribal Council Officials pursuant to the Election Procedures & Ordinance. Tribal Council Officials consist of five (5) elected officials voted into office by the adult Tribal Membership. Tribal Council oversees all Tribal Government day-to-day business on behalf of the Tribe.
Middletown Rancheria Tribal Gaming Regulatory Agency:
The General Council elects three (3) Regulator Officials pursuant to the Election Procedures & Ordinance. The Middletown Rancheria Tribal Gaming Regulatory Agency, commonly known as Gaming Commission, is an entity of the Tribe to regulate the gaming facility.
Twin Pine Casino & Hotel:
The primary focus and specific purpose when the Tribe established our gaming facility was to ensure prosperity and a greater quality of life for our Tribal Membership. The Tribe has been able to create programs that enrich our lives with health benefits, housing, disability, elder and education assistance.
The Tribe began operating Twin Pine Casino in a modest modular building in November of 1994. The Tribe entered into a Tribal-State Compact with the State of California in 1999 and will expire on December 31, 2020. In 2000 our gaming facility moved into a temporary sprung structure, which was developed, constructed and independently funded by the Tribe. In November 2008 the Tribe began its first phase of expansion of the permanent gaming facility. In March of 2009 the three (3) story hotel construction was completed.
Mount St. Helena Brewing Company
In October 2002, the Tribe purchased the Mount St. Helena Brewing Co. which is a micro-brewery and restaurant located in Middletown. We were the first Tribe in California and the United States to own and operate a micro-brewery and distribute beer. Currently non-operational due to Covid-19
Middletown Satellite Medical Clinic - (Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, Inc.)
The Tribe opened its first medical Satellite Clinic on September 2011 in conjunction with Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, Inc. The Satellite Clinic is open twice a month with the capability of up to ten (10) appointments per day. The Satellite Clinic provides health care with a physician, nurse and receptionist. Medications are delivered to the Rancheria for Tribal Members and community members that utilize this facility. The Satellite Clinic also provides Diabetic Classes on a weekly basis. The Satellite Clinic is open to Middletown Rancheria Tribal Members, Native American, and Non-Native People.