Lytton Tribe
LYTTON RANCHERIA
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE?
A federally recognized tribe is an American Indian or Alaska Native tribal entity that is recognized as having a government-to-government relationship with the United States, with the responsibilities, powers, limitations, and obligations attached to that designation, and is eligible for funding and services from federal agencies.
DO INDIAN TRIBES HAVE DIFFERENT RIGHTS OR PRIVILEGES FROM NON-NATIVE AMERICANS?
Indian tribes have long been held to be distinct political communities that can exercise governmental sovereign powers. This inherent sovereignty of tribal governments is acknowledged in the United States Constitution, treaties, as well as in legislative, judicial and administrative decisions.
WHY ARE TRUST LANDS SO IMPORTANT TO TRIBES?
Land is essential for tribes in order for them to function as governments. Tribes need trust lands so that they can provide governmental services for their members, such as housing, health care, education, economic development, and also to protect their historic, cultural and religious ties to land.
DO LOCAL OR STATE GOVERMENTS HAVE ANY POWER ON INDIAN LANDS AFTER BEING TAKEN INTO TRUST?
Once tribal lands are taken into federal trust, the land is subject to federal and tribal laws rather than local land use restrictions, zoning ordinances or taxing authority. Tribes are free to enter into memorandums of understanding or other legal agreements with local and state governments regarding the actions of the Tribe. Crimes committed on reservation lands in California are however under jurisdiction of local authorities.
HOW WAS THE LYTTON RANCHERIA FORMED?
The Lytton Rancheria is a federally recognized Pomo Indian Tribe from Sonoma County whose ancestors were devastated by the Gold Rush and hostile State & Federal policies towards Indians in the 19th century. By the early 1900s, many Indians and tribes from the area that now makes up Sonoma County were poverty-stricken, landless and homeless. Congress therefore enacted legislation to allow the purchase of lands for some of these Indians and tribes. The Lytton Rancheria was one such tribe that received reservation lands from these purchases, located in the Alexander Valley of Sonoma County. The Tribe resided and flourished on the land, sustaining itself through farming and ranching.
WHAT IS THE CALIFORNIA RANCHERIA TERMINATION ACT OF 1958?
With the passage of this act, dozens of California tribes were stripped of their federal recognition, including Lytton, whose relationship with the federal government was officially terminated in 1961. This resulted in the Tribe losing all of its Rancheria land, and once again, it became a homeless and landless tribe with no means of generating income or providing for its members.
WHERE IS LYTTON'S ORIGINAL HOMELAND?
Lytton Rancheria's original homeland is in Alexander Valley in Sonoma County, California.
DOES THE LYTTON TRIBE HAVE A CASINO?
Yes. The federal government holds 9.5 acres in trust in San Pablo (Contra Costa County) for Lytton, and the Tribe converted an existing card room into a Class II gaming facility. While this land provides economic support for the Tribe, it is not large enough to establish a tribal homeland with clearly delineated authority to provide services to its members.
HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES THE CASINO EMPLOY?
The San Pablo Casino employs approximately 400 employees who live in the area.
DOES THE TRIBE HAVE ANY ECONOMIC INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF THE SAN PABLO CASINO?
The tribe has investments in viniculture, finance, office buildings and shopping centers.
The Tribe has purchased a number of vineyards and is operating them in an environmentally-sensitive manner. Vineyards that were in various stages of disrepair prior to the Tribe’s purchase are now being put back into clean, healthy working order. Small tributaries of the Russian River that have long been clogged and unusable for fish are being cleaned out and made ready for use again. Additionally, the Tribe has installed wind machines to use during frost warnings to keep the grapes from freezing, rather than using overhead spray from the Russian River like many ranches in the area.
This innovative measure will save water from being taken from the Russian River at a vital time of the river’s flow. The Tribe’s investment in the ongoing viniculture operations has reinvigorated many previously deteriorating vineyards, and its grapes are being used to produce high‐quality wines. Lytton operates its vineyards on a fish‐friendly and sustainable basis and is working towards sustainability certification pursuant in to the practices of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.
IS THE TRIBE CHARITABLE?
Lytton Rancheria has prided itself in being a good neighbor to the communities surrounding its lands. For example, in San Pablo, the Tribe provides more than 50% of the City’s operating budget and donates to many local charities. The Tribe sponsors a yearly golf tournament to benefit the Brookside Foundation providing $100,000 a year for healthcare for an impoverished community. The Tribe has also donated $50,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Pablo. In addition, the Tribe contributes $25,000 a year to the Friendship House in San Francisco to help aid in drug and alcohol rehabilitation in the Bay Area.
The Tribe has given millions of dollars to local charities and organizations, including:
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$400,000 to the Windsor Fire Protection District
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$2.6 million to the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
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$100,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Central Sonoma County
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$100,000 to PDI Surgery Center in Windsor
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$100,000 to Catholic Charities
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$100,000 to Sonoma Academy (Scholarship Program)
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$100,000 to the Charles M. Schulz Museum
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$170,000 to the Sonoma County Historical Society
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$300,000 to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
The Lytton Rancheria has greatly contributed to the growth of the city of San Pablo over the past 20 years. Community partnerships,
charitable donations, and financial support have played a key role in helping San Pablo.
On the federal level, Lytton Rancheria does not accept any federal funding it is eligible for as a tribe except for Indian Health Service (IHS) funding, which it immediately turns over to the Sonoma Indian Health Clinic. This Clinic provides healthcare for all Indians, regardless of tribal affiliation, residing in Sonoma County.
In addition to the significant community giving, Lytton has contributed $1,000,000 to the Windsor Unified School District in preparation of increased attendance resulting from the residential project. Lytton Rancheria has also contributed to opening the Margie Mejia preschool at Mattie Washburn Elementary, which is set to open in early 2026, providing another preschool option in Windsor County for families. They have funded the Read On Sonoma! program in Sonoma County elementary schools, a literacy initiative that encourages young students to read more. The Tribe plans to continue partnering with the community to support and invest in local causes.
WHAT IS THE LYTTON HOMELAND?
The Lytton Homeland is the realization of a generations-long vision to reestablish a permanent home for the Lytton Rancheria of California. After decades of displacement following the federal government’s termination of the Tribe in 1961, the creation of the homeland fulfills the promise of restoration and self-determination.
Today, the Lytton Homeland stands as a vibrant community in Sonoma County, thoughtfully designed to reflect the Tribe’s culture, values, and respect for the land. Designed by 19six Architects, formerly known as Williams & Paddon Architects, the neighborhood features beautifully crafted homes, a community center, and gathering spaces that promote family, tradition, and togetherness. Surrounded by open space and natural beauty, the homeland blends seamlessly with the rural character of the region while providing modern, sustainable housing for tribal members.
The completed homeland is more than a residential development; it is the heart of the Lytton community, symbolizing resilience, renewal, and a deep commitment to future generations.