MECHOOPDA HISTORY
The history of The Mechoopda tribe is a history that parrellels the history of many Native American tribes. A history of political and economic oppression, and systematic denial of our right to prosper as indian nations.
As you read on you may wonder why John Bidwell shows up so prominantly.......John Bidwell is revered because he is the founder of the town, Chico califonia and early pioneer into Indian country ........The History of the Mechoopda Tribe spans beyond the time of the white people, Our history establishes our presence before any european influences. Today the History of Mechoopda is us the legacy of survival and hope for the future.
1540-1820 Spanish period: Up in the north from san fransico north there was no missions
1821-1846 Spanish period: limited interaction with Spanish officials or its peoples
1828 Jedediah Smith recorded his travels to the Mechoopda area.
1839 Small pox epidemic. Samll Pox was especially damaging to the Maidu. Mechoopda people was effected drastically estimated 3/4 was killed
1844 Arroyo chico(22,214 acres) granted to William Dickey by the Spanish..the land granted was Maidu land(Mechoopda aboriginal territory)
1846 Polk signed the declaration of war on May 13,
1845 Bidwell initially granted land known as colusa grant.
1848 Signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Feb 2nd.
1849 Arroyo Chico acquired by Bidwell with gold discovered at bidwell bar 1848-49
1848 Americanization: Bidwell active in the first session of the california legistature
1849 Bidwell constructs log house as living quarters
1850 California admitted to statehood.
1851 August 1. Mechoopda Enter into a Treaty with the United States
1852 July 8th Congress Rejected the TREATY under direct california politicking. 18-Treaty was sealed into secreacy. Indians including Mechoopda peoples was forced to move.
1852 Bidwell constructs two-story adobe house used as living quarters and hotel
1862 Bidwell inters into legal contract of emplyment with Indian retainers(slaves, cause Indians had no alternative, work or me killed)
1863 U.S. Army rounds up indians including Mechoopda and forced marched to Round Valley, mendocino County
1864 Bidwell elected to the house of Representitives
1865-68 Bidwell Constructs "Mansion"
1868 John Bidwell marries Anne ellicott Kennedy
1869 Bidwell moves Mechoopda village from south bank of chico creek(flume st) to parcel 1 adjacent to the present W. Sacramento Ave.
1882 Rancheria Church established on parcel 2 (soccor field and dorms)
1887 Chico Normal School is established on eight acre parcel
1892 John Bidweel is chosen as presidential candidate of the national prohibition party
1895 Church relocated on parcel 1 north of present W. Sacramento avenue
1900 John Bidwell died
1905 Blanket of Secrecy was lifted on the 18 Treaties that the California Indians signed with the United States
190? Last Dance-house was destroyed. Ending the Mechoopda traditional religion.
1913 Marie Bain was born
1918 Anne Bidwell died
1939 U.S. board of indian affairs became trustee of the Chico Rancheria
1944 California Indians Vs california settled for 5 million
1955 Mechoopda requested the federal government rescind the trust status
1958 Public Law 85-671( known as California Act) mandated that indian lands be divided and title be filed
1959 Mechoopda Indian Band is organized
1962 California State University, Chico acquires parcel 2 ....historically Chico Rancheria
1970 Mechoopda Tribe is terminated
1976 Public Law 93-638, the Indian Self-Determination Act,
1986 Mechoopda Tribe new constitution is written and recognition process is commenced
1992 United states recognized that the Tribe was unlawfully terminated and rerecognized
1995 Jan. Secretorial Election is called for.
1995 Mechoopda Tribe decide to go into gaming
1999 Mechoopda tribe builds housing for its members
2000
As We , The Mechoopda Tribe , enters into the 21st centery, I have many dreams for my tribe.....but not only for my people but for the citizens of California and the United States.
SOME MORE HISTORY
"Never in its history has the United states made available the economic or other resources necessary to satify the most basic human, individual, family, community, or national needs of the Indian Peoples. In fact, The United States has seldom allowed, or enabled, Indian Tribes or individuals to secure the benefits or gains potentially available to them from the considerable land and other economic resources base still held by, or retained in the ownership of, the collective Indian community.
Control of Native amercan resourses has remained in the hands of other people--as has the destiny of Indian peoples. It is with that experience that so many Indian peoples look to the [AIPRC(or any U.S. involvement)] with hope while so many look upon it suspiciously as just one other form of threatening jeopardy."(pg 15. Report on trust respnsibilities......AMERINDIANreview commission)
SOME MORE HISTORY
SOME MORE HISTORY
SOME MORE HISTORY
SOME MORE HISTORY
Email: NDNMAN_jak@yahoo.com
