Big Sandy

The Big Sandy Rancheria of Mono Indians of California is a ranchería and federally recognized tribe of Western Mono Indians (Monache) located in Fresno County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census the population was 118. In 1909, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) bought 280 acres (110 ha) of land for the Big Sandy Band of Western Mono Indians.

Reservation

The Big Sandy Rancheria, located just outside the community of Auberry, in Fresno County, is 228 acres (0.92 km2) large. In 1990, 38 tribal members lived on the reservation. In 2009, approximately 158 out of 495 enrolled tribal members lived on the reservation. The reservation is very secluded, and the tribal headquarters is situated within a ring of houses.

History In 1909, the BIA purchased 280 acres (110 ha) of land for the Big Sandy Band of Western Mono Indians. It was bought in order to provide the tribe with a secure home where they could grow their food, have cattle, and be free from attacks by non-Indians. In 1958, Congress enacted the California Rancheria Termination Act which affected 41 California rancherias, which also included Big Sandy Rancheria. It terminated the trust status of the lands and...