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SPONSORED BY Cache Creek Casino Resort
Rooted in Community, Growing in Legacy: Celebrating Yocha Dehe’s Vision
Stewardship: A Sacred Relationship with the Land
Sponsored by:
Each November, as the leaves change and the landscape transforms into a new season, we pause to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. In a world where many voices are elevated, overlapping, and crying for unity while actions are mirroring division, let’s reflect upon those traditions of the many Indigenous nations whose wisdom and purpose create true unity and call us to greater responsibility.
By StoryStudio on November 18, 2025
Among them proudly stands the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, a community anchored in California’s Capay Valley, showing an enduring devotion to the land, people, and businesses. In providing education, government funding, sustainable food, and resources, they empower the region and its surrounding areas to thrive. Together, these efforts illuminate a path that combines humility with action.
Below, we explore their story through the lens of the seven values they uphold and the legacy they continue to build.
For the Yocha Dehe people, whose Patwin ancestors travelled and lived sustainably, stewardship is not a modern concept; it is an inheritance and an identity. The Tribe lives by the principle that the land is a living relative — one that provides but also requires care and gratitude in return because stewardship is not the same as ownership. Therefore, that belief shapes practices such as taking only what is needed and giving thanks through ceremony and prayer.
Today, that spirit guides the Tribe’s environmental leadership. It is essential to fulfill the fundamental moral doctrine of being a “good neighbor.” In doing so, they have invested in the economic and environmental success of both tribal and non-tribal communities. Initiatives such as advanced water recycling systems have reclaimed tens of millions of gallons annually for reuse in irrigation and sanitation, reducing demand on local resources.
To reduce air pollution, the Tribe supports the purchase of clean energy vehicles and encourages employees to work from home and share rides. Additionally, the Casino Resort's onsite production of biodiesel fuel and used cooking oil powers maintenance equipment at the Yocha Dehe Golf Club.
Along the Cache Creek watershed, native plants have been restored, riverbanks stabilized, and wildlife protected to ensure that ecosystems thrive for generations. From renewable energy projects and LEED-certified buildings to organic olive farming and soil restoration, their stewardship model leads with respect for balance, not excess.
Learn More
Their traditions speak in rhythm and ritual:
in sacred dances and survival stories,
Stories that cradle history and create a future for generations to prosper.
Every act is ceremony. Every breath, a prayer of thanks.
We celebrate their resilience —
for despite the storms of time and loss,
their languages still rise – still spoken – on the tongues of children,
and their elders still guide with the sovereignty of memory.
This month, we honor the Nations who remind us
that community is strength,
that ancestors walk beside us,
and that the spirit of the land
still whispers the same timeless truth:
We are all connected.
It’s hard to believe it has been 40 years, an amazing journey from a humble bingo hall to a world-class casino and resort. It was a vision from those before us, our former leaders, who had this idea that gaming was a way to bring economic viability to the Tribe.
— Anthony Roberts, Tribal Chairman,
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation
Honoring the History of Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and All Indigenous Nations
Family & Community
We nurture our families and our communities.
Learn More
Stewardship: A Sacred Relationship with the Land
For the Yocha Dehe people, whose Patwin ancestors travelled and lived sustainably, stewardship is not a modern concept; it is an inheritance and an identity. The Tribe lives by the principle that the land is a living relative — one that provides but also requires care and gratitude in return because stewardship is not the same as ownership. Therefore, that belief shapes practices such as taking only what is needed and giving thanks through ceremony and prayer.
Today, that spirit guides the Tribe’s environmental leadership. It is essential to fulfill the fundamental moral doctrine of being a “good neighbor.” In doing so, they have invested in the economic and environmental success of both tribal and non-tribal communities. Initiatives such as advanced water recycling systems have reclaimed tens of millions of gallons annually for reuse in irrigation and sanitation, reducing demand on local resources.
To reduce air pollution, the Tribe supports the purchase of clean energy vehicles and encourages employees to work from home and share rides. Additionally, the Casino Resort's onsite production of biodiesel fuel and used cooking oil powers maintenance equipment at the Yocha Dehe Golf Club.
Along the Cache Creek watershed, native plants have been restored, riverbanks stabilized, and wildlife protected to ensure that ecosystems thrive for generations. From renewable energy projects and LEED-certified buildings to organic olive farming and soil restoration, their stewardship model leads with respect for balance, not excess.
Reciprocity and Community: Giving Back, Growing Together
Caring for the Earth, the Tribe believes, is to care for people as well. Yocha Dehe established its Community Fund and Doyuti T’uhkama to advance this mission, collectively investing in over 500 different organizations working to uplift lives, protect the environment and foster equity across generations. As a result, nearly $236 million in philanthropic aid has been granted to support programs and initiatives dedicated to assisting those in need.
Accountability
We are responsible stewards of our heritage, our land, and our resources.
— Anthony Roberts, Tribal Chairman,
Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation
Our responsibility to this land and to each other did not begin with us and it will not end with us. We carry forward teachings that remind us to give more than we take, to lift our neighbors as we lift our own people, and to honor those who came before by investing in those who will follow. During Native American Heritage Month, we reflect on that sacred trust and recommit ourselves to walking with humility, respect and purpose, guided by the values that have sustained our people since time immemorial.
Their collaboration with conservation agencies and neighboring governments has led to landmark achievements, such as the expansion of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include Molok Luyuk, or “Condor Ridge.” This effort recognizes Indigenous stewardship and establishes a shared framework for co-management that honors both ecological and cultural values.
Further south, at Glen Cove in Vallejo, the Tribe and its partners protect an ancestral shoreline where their people once gathered, combining cultural preservation with habitat restoration. Their involvement in protecting Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi, a sweeping 1,500-acre landscape of oak woodlands and volcanic ridges, extends this ethic of care. Each of these projects embodies reciprocity — giving back to the land and to the communities that share it.
Through educational initiatives, they mentor young people in environmental stewardship, teaching that every action — from planting native grass to generating solar power and conserving water — is part of a larger cycle of respect. These programs reflect a belief that when you nurture the next generation, you also nurture the future of the planet.
Respect for the Past, Responsibility for the Future
At the heart of Yocha Dehe’s environmental work is reverence for their ancestors, their descendants, and the land that connects them. Their projects are not merely technical or agricultural; they are acts of remembrance and renewal. By safeguarding sacred sites and restoring ecological health, future generations inherit both land and legacy.
In 2011, the Tribe gained authority to manage historic and cultural resources. In 2014, a historical document was signed, enforcing and adopting many of the cultural resource protection principles found in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; thereby, allowing sovereign nations to preserve and protect a shared culture.
Today’s choices shape tomorrow’s world, and every innovation, like solar panels on tribal buildings, reflects a conscious effort to minimize harm and maximize harmony. This future-focused mindset indicates every generation has a responsibility to leave the land better than it was found.
Loyalty
We are committed to a common purpose: the success of our Tribe.
Cultural Continuity: A Living Heritage
For the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, culture and ecology are inseparable. Their environmental efforts are part of a broader cultural mission to strengthen language, traditions, and community. Protecting natural spaces is also about preserving the spiritual and cultural practices that belong to those spaces — the stories, songs, and ceremonies that tie people to the land.
Their commitment extends through philanthropy and partnership. The Tribe’s community giving programs invest in local education, health, and cultural preservation, reflecting an understanding that social and environmental well-being are intertwined. Their leadership demonstrates that Native heritage is not confined to the past or recognized as a designated holiday but instead is an evolving force that continues to shape California’s future.
Communication
We value and promote the positive exchange of thoughts and ideas for every member of our community.
Integrity in Action, Unity Through Dialogue
The Tribe upholds integrity through honest management and fosters communication by engaging in open dialogue that strengthens unity, ensures fairness, and promotes the well-being of the entire community. Native cultures often emphasize the importance of the group over the individual, fostering a strong sense of community and shared responsibility. Everyone contributes to the well-being of the group, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Decision-making is traditionally rooted in dialogue and collective agreement, promoting consensus and cooperation that reinforces unity and mutual respect within the community. This holds for the Yocha Dehe Tribe, who participate in several local boards to strengthen its partnerships and further promote prosperity for all.
Their traditions speak in rhythm and ritual:
in sacred dances and survival stories,
Stories that cradle history and create a future for generations to prosper.
Every act is ceremony. Every breath, a prayer of thanks.
We celebrate their resilience —
for despite the storms of time and loss,
their languages still rise – still spoken – on the tongues of children,
and their elders still guide with the sovereignty of memory.
This month, we honor the Nations who remind us
that community is strength,
that ancestors walk beside us,
and that the spirit of the land
still whispers the same timeless truth:
We are all connected.
A Poem of Recognition and Honor for all Native Americans
A Legacy of Balance and Renewal
In honoring Yocha Dehe, whose homeland and ancient footprints reside in the Capay Valley of Yolo County, and tribes across the country, let us remember that heritage is not only memory — it is responsibility. Sustainability, respect, and community are not separate ideals, but parts of a single, enduring way of life.
The story of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation offers an inspiring illustration of how traditions of reciprocity and relationality can facilitate real, tangible action in our time. Their work invites all of us to live more intentionally — to listen, to learn, and to walk with humility upon the land that gives us life.
Harmony & Balance
We believe that harmony and balance come from understanding and cooperation.
Respect
We value our culture, ourselves, and our neighbors.
Integrity
We practice time-honored traditions of social responsibility, fairness, and honesty.
Each November, as the leaves change and the landscape transforms into a new season, we pause to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. In a world where many voices are elevated, overlapping, and crying for unity while actions are mirroring division, let’s reflect upon those traditions of the many Indigenous nations whose wisdom and purpose create true unity and call us to greater responsibility.
Honoring the History of Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and All Indigenous Nations
Family & Community
We nurture our families and our communities.
At the heart of Yocha Dehe’s environmental work is reverence for their ancestors, their descendants, and the land that connects them. Their projects are not merely technical or agricultural; they are acts of remembrance and renewal. By safeguarding sacred sites and restoring ecological health, future generations inherit both land and legacy.
In 2011, the Tribe gained authority to manage historic and cultural resources. In 2014, a historical document was signed, enforcing and adopting many of the cultural resource protection principles found in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; thereby, allowing sovereign nations to preserve and protect a shared culture.
Today’s choices shape tomorrow’s world, and every innovation, like solar panels on tribal buildings, reflects a conscious effort to minimize harm and maximize harmony. This future-focused mindset indicates every generation has a responsibility to leave the land better than it was found.
The Tribe upholds integrity through honest management and fosters communication by engaging in open dialogue that strengthens unity, ensures fairness, and promotes the well-being of the entire community. Native cultures often emphasize the importance of the group over the individual, fostering a strong sense of community and shared responsibility. Everyone contributes to the well-being of the group, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Decision-making is traditionally rooted in dialogue and collective agreement, promoting consensus and cooperation that reinforces unity and mutual respect within the community. This holds for the Yocha Dehe Tribe, who participate in several local boards to strengthen its partnerships and further promote prosperity for all.
Integrity
We practice time-honored traditions of social responsibility, fairness, and honesty.
Integrity in Action, Unity Through Dialogue
Loyalty
We are committed to a common purpose: the success of our Tribe.
For the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, culture and ecology are inseparable. Their environmental efforts are part of a broader cultural mission to strengthen language, traditions, and community. Protecting natural spaces is also about preserving the spiritual and cultural practices that belong to those spaces — the stories, songs, and ceremonies that tie people to the land.
Their commitment extends through philanthropy and partnership. The Tribe’s community giving programs invest in local education, health, and cultural preservation, reflecting an understanding that social and environmental well-being are intertwined. Their leadership demonstrates that Native heritage is not confined to the past or recognized as a designated holiday but instead is an evolving force that continues to shape California’s future.
Cultural Continuity: A Living Heritage
Communication
We value and promote the positive exchange of thoughts and ideas for every member of our community.
Loyalty
We are committed to a common purpose: the success of our Tribe.
In honoring Yocha Dehe, whose homeland and ancient footprints reside in the Capay Valley of Yolo County, and tribes across the country, let us remember that heritage is not only memory — it is responsibility. Sustainability, respect, and community are not separate ideals, but parts of a single, enduring way of life.
The story of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation offers an inspiring illustration of how traditions of reciprocity and relationality can facilitate real, tangible action in our time. Their work invites all of us to live more intentionally — to listen, to learn, and to walk with humility upon the land that gives us life.
A Legacy of Balance and Renewal
A Poem of Recognition and Honor for all Native Americans