Pakan'Yani Maidu Of Strawberry Valley Rancheria

08/22/2026

A Little More on Indian Nellie and Woodleaf as part of the Pakan’Yani Maidu Homelands

The available evidence repeatedly identifies Tasu’Mili, also known as Indian Nellie and later as Nellie Johnson or Nellie Kennedy, as the daughter of Headman Ya’Lo. Mossinger’s identification of Indian Nellie (in Woodleaf Legacy) as being from Woodleaf connects Ya’Lo’s immediate family to the Woodleaf area, while Mossinger’s geographic discussion places Pakan’yani in the adjoining Challenge–Strawberry Valley region between the Feather and Yuba watersheds. Nellie’s later residence at Strawberry Valley, recognition as a Strawberry Valley elder, and inclusion among the Pakan’yani voters in 1935 provide substantial cumulative evidence of genealogical, geographic, and political continuity between Ya’Lo’s family, historic Pakan’yani, and the Strawberry Valley community.

Mossinger in Woodleaf Legacy states that “Pakan’yani lies directly on the center of the ridge between the Yuba and Feather watersheds”. This is geographically consistent with Woodleaf and the broader Woodleaf–Challenge–Strawberry Valley area.

The Pakan’yani homeland occupied the high ridge separating the Yuba and Feather River watersheds. These ridgelines provided natural travel routes connecting Woodleaf, Challenge, Strawberry Valley, and neighboring Northern Maidu communities while avoiding the steep river canyons below. Regular travel along these routes facilitated hunting, gathering, trade, ceremony, visitation, and intermarriage; it demonstrates regional relationships without diminishing the Pakan’yani’s distinct geographic and community identity.

08/18/2026

MORE HISTORY (from Life in Challenge Mills, Yuba County, California, 1875–1915, With Emphasis on Its People, Homes, and Businesses Philip M. McDonald and Lona F. Lahore, USDA, Forest Service)

The Maidu had a high degree of social organization in terms of hunting, food gathering, worship, and especially basket weaving. Their baskets were the coiled type, made of peeled willow or unpeeled redbud (Cercis spp.). Nellie was a familiar Native American woman in the area. She made beautiful baskets that were finely woven with various designs and shapes. She even covered a bottle with a fine, tightly woven design with hinges for straps to be inserted. It took Nellie 4 years to weave a large basket (fig. 4) to burn in a special ceremony honoring her dead husband. A local woman saw the basket and said that no husband was worth burning a beautiful basket like that. Nellie replied “You bad women you.”

08/18/2026

A Little More History

Woodleaf's earlier location and Indigenous presence in the immediate region.

The contemporary History of Yuba County describes what we now call Woodleaf under its earlier name, Woodville House, formerly the Barker stand/Barker House. The same 1879 history records that nearby Strawberry Valley had an Indigenous name, “Pomingo,” derived from the name of a plant.

Indian Nellie, daughter of Ya'Lo, headman of the Pakan'Yani Maidu, is from Woodleaf.

08/18/2026

FROM "NATIVE VOTE" AND THE "INDIGENOUS BALLOT BRIEF"

The state of the race

Five things to know right now

Native women could make history in the U.S. Senate: Peggy Flanagan, White Earth Nation, has secured the Democratic nomination in Minnesota, while Mary Peltola, Yup’ik, is expected to advance from Alaska’s Aug. 18 top-four primary. Either or both could become the first Native women elected to the Senate.

Native representation in Congress could grow: Sharice Davids, Ho-Chunk, is seeking a fifth House term, while Claire Valdez, Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo; Sean McCann, Citizen Potawatomi Nation; and Brenton Awa, Native Hawaiian, are among the Indigenous candidates headed to November congressional races.

Another historic statewide race is taking shape: Deb Haaland, Laguna Pueblo, is the Democratic nominee for New Mexico governor and could become the first Native American woman elected governor in U.S. history.

It’s not just the marquee races: Native candidates are advancing in state and local contests that could expand Indigenous representation beyond Washington.

More Native candidates face voters this week: Alaska and Wyoming hold primaries today, Aug. 18, with a final few state primaries still to come in September.

08/17/2026

08/17/2026

Some history:

In 1979, the Pakan'Yani Maidu of Strawberry Valley Rancheria was one of 34 Rancherias terminated under the California Rancheria Act (CRA) who were joined as plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against the United States, Tillie Hardwick et al. v. United States, Case No. C-79-1710. Among other things, this lawsuit asserted that the United States violated the CRA in its efforts to terminate federal supervision of the tribes. A 1983 settlement of the lawsuit resulted in the restoration of 17 Rancherias to federal recognition, but the dismissal without prejudice of the claims of 12 Rancherias, including Strawberry Valley whose claims could not be resolved under the terms the United States was willing to accept in settlement.

The Tribe's attorneys indicate that Strawberry Valley was terminated "without prejudice" and therefore eligible to file for Federal recognition in the courts. However, later cases in the Federal courts imposed statute-of-limitations barriers on any new requests for judicial restoration such as one Strawberry Valley would make. As a matter of fact, in 2013 under Chairwoman Cathy Bishop-yatam, a draft of a filing for restoration was prepared for filing with the courts. However, the statute-of-limitations ruling came down before the draft could be finalized. Because restoration through Congress depends upon securing legislative sponsorship and support, the Tribal Nation has elected to pursue acknowledgement through the Part 83 administrative process.

08/17/2026

Dear Colleagues,



We wanted to share an upcoming event, the UC Davis Native American Counselor’s Conference, September 1, 2026. Please share this opportunity with counselors or educators that may be interested. Additional details below. Thank you.



Best,

Megon



Megon Noble

UC Davis

Repatriation Coordinator

Senior Strategic Advisor

(530)752-8501



UC Davis Land Acknowledgement



From: Michelle A Villegas-Frazier
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 10:19 AM
To: Megon A Noble
Subject: Fw: UC Davis Native American Counselors' Conference

We hope you can join us on September 1st, 2026 from 10:00-3:00pm at UC Davis.

This event is free of charge and is open to counselors and educators who work with all students including Native American students, families, communities, and tribal education programs.

Topics will include:

Advising and assisting students regarding selective admissions
High school and transfer information
Resources and support to help students Thrive at UCD
For questions contact [email protected]

Register at https://forms.gle/4UChgg8uSam1r3LU6

Deadline to register is August 28th.


Michelle Villegas-Frazier, MA
Pomo Pinoleville
Senior Strategic Advisor on Native American/Alaskan Native and First Nation Affairs
Director, Native American Retention Initiative and
The Nest

To set up an appointment please email Jean Murata, [email protected]

The conference will be held at UC Davis at the University House on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 from 10am-3pm. Registration is required to participate; the deadline for registration is August 28th @ 11:59pm. Parking details: Parking permits are required on the campus. However, If you are bringing a....