With the Pacific Ocean to the west, majestic redwood forests to the east, and seven major rivers flowing within its ancestral territory, the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is steadily developing itself economically and culturally as a community that serves its Tribal citizens and visitors alike.
Tolowa territory stretches approximately 100 miles along the Northern California and Southern Oregon coastline and includes 2.87 million square acres of land—a total of 9,608 square miles—and an undefined expanse of marine waters.
The region features some of the country’s most pristine rivers, untouched coastline, towering redwoods, and abundant wildlife—including elk, migrating birds, and marine mammals. The Tolowa have long lived in harmony with their environment and welcome the opportunity to share their world and cultural heritage with visitors.
“The last few years have been filled with progress and success for our Nation and its citizens in regard to economic sustainability, preserving our cultural heritage, and being good stewards of the land,” said Tolowa Dee-ni’ Tribal Chairperson Jeri Lynn Thompson. “We are continually working on ways to give residents and visitors opportunities to learn about our history and culture, and have respect for our lands as they enjoy outdoor activities.”
A Rich Heritage
According to Thompson, the Nation hopes visitors gain an understanding of the Tolowa people, who have inhabited the region since time immemorial. The Nation has a rich history that includes a mostly peaceful existence until the deliberate mass murder of its population, known as the Dee-ni’ Holocaust, which began in 1851.
For the next 100-plus years, the Tolowa people faced continued expulsion from their land, forced acculturation, mandatory boarding school enrollment, religious prohibition, sterilization, and genocide perpetrated by explorers, settlers, miners, and ranchers.
The Tolowa’s federal recognition was restored in 1983 and a few years later the nation established sovereignty with the creation of its own constitution and government. Today, the survival of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ remains a miracle and the Nation’s spirit remains unbroken as its people work to mend the traumatic wounds left behind.
Preserving its language is an ongoing effort for the Nation, which started doing so in earnest in 1969 with the formation of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Language Program. Community members began to write their oral history and traditions, while several citizens established themselves as credentialed teachers of the Tolowa language.
The written language went through several transitions—from Uni-fon alphabet to the Practical Alphabet—and today is user-friendly to virtually any kind of application. The language is often used in Tribal newsletters, family genealogies, classes, and meetings. The language can also be seen on signage throughout the region, including interpretive signs displayed within the Redwood National and State Parks.
Protecting the Natural World
As good stewards of the land, the Nation continues to focus on preservation and protection of natural and cultural resources within its ancestral territory. Its Natural Resources Department consists of scientific data collectors and technical advisors for issues and management decisions pertaining to such matters as water quality, solid waste, recycling, fisheries, habitat, wildlife, marine, and cultural resource protection.
One project nearing completion at the end of 2024 is the Rowdy Creek and Dominie Creek Fish Passage Improvement Project. The project will restore fish access to more than 13 miles of quality stream habitat in tributaries to the Smith River. An outdated weir and fish trap at Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery is being replaced with a more fish-friendly design, and hatchery infrastructure where the two creeks meet is being improved. People come from all over the world to fish in our ocean and rivers, especially for the highly sought salmon and steelhead. Anglers can only harvest steelhead raised at the hatchery. Thousands of fish are released from the hatchery and without those releases, there would be no steelhead. The facility is the only hatchery in California not owned by the state.
In May 2023, the Tolowa joined with the Pulikla Tribe of Yurok People and Cher-Ae-Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria to form the Yurok-Tolowa Dee-ni’ Indigenous Marine Stewardship Area.
The tribes’ mission is to safeguard coastal forests, dunes, and ocean from environmental threats, including sea-level rise and coastal erosion. Working together, the tribes are using their Indigenous knowledge and resources to improve water quality and reverse ocean acidification and species and habitat loss, while mitigating other climate impacts affecting their community.
“When we're good stewards, we're always seeking that positive balance between our actions as human beings and Mother Nature,” said Tribal Citizen Suntayea Steinruck. “I feel like right now we're out of balance. We're looking at how we, as indigenous knowledge-keepers, can promote that balance in terms that Western science can understand and try to strive for those connections so that they can relate. When you have that connection with all things, it's so powerful. You have an appreciation and respect for those things and so you have a right and a privilege to take care of those things.”
If You Visit
The Nation’s Lucky 7 Casino and Hotel, located minutes from the beach and nearby rivers, is a great place to stay and play while enjoying the Nation’s ancestral lands.
The casino features more than 300 of the best and newest games and blackjack, as well as quality concerts and stand-up comedy featuring national touring acts. The upscale Howonquet Lodge includes spacious rooms and amenities such as a hot tub, swimming pool, gym—all while staying true to the rich heritage of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation.
For those seeking something a little quieter, the Nation offers bungalow rentals at the Xaa-wan’-k’wvt (Howonquet) Village & Resort near the mouth of the Smith River. The west-facing windows and furnished porches offer stunning views of both the estuary and ocean. Note: The Nation recently demolished a nearby old hotel and restaurant as part of a comprehensive project to transform 40 acres of its land along the river into a premiere destination resort that blends with the natural environment. The resort will include rental yurts, walking paths, and river access.
When visiting Tolowa territory, people are encouraged to visit Lucky 7 Casino and Hotel to view a traditional dugout canoe and other items on display. The onsite gift shop also features hand-made art and other items created by Tolowa citizens.
On the first Saturday in September, the Nation hosts the wildly popular Dee-ni’ Day, a festival featuring more than 70 vendors as well as cultural demonstrations, displays, food, and activities.