Rattlesnake Island (Clear Lake)
Encyclopedia
Rattlesnake Island is an island located on Clear Lake in Lake County
, northern California
. Its land area is nominally 53 acres (214,483.6 m²), but may vary significantly as lake levels rise and fall. It is 500 feet (152.4 m) offshore from the north shore of the eastern arm of Clear Lake, the site of the Elem Indian Colony
.
There is evidence of Native American
activity on the island, possibly dating back as much as 8,000 years, although little archaeological work has been conducted. This site is connected with the prehistoric Post Pattern
, and has probably been used by the Southeastern Pomo
throughout prehistoric times. The Elem Pomo Colony have claimed the island to be their place of origin, and a political and religious center.
A history of ownership disputes dates as far back as the late nineteenth century. Due to a controversial 1949 U.S. court decision, the Elem Pomo tribe lost legal control of 80,000 acres (320 km²) of its ancestral land, including the island. At present, legal title to the island is held by a Bay Area businessman, John Nady (founder of Nady Systems Inc.) His 2003 attempt to obtain permits to construct a log cabin on the island was challenged by Elem Indian Colony members but eventually granted. John Parker, a local archaeologist, petitioned the federal government to add the island to the National Register of Historical Places. John Nady is currently developing a sustainable vacation home there with solar power and resident livestock.
Lake County, California
Lake County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of California, north of the San Francisco Bay Area. It takes its name from Clear Lake, the dominant geographic feature in the county and the largest natural lake wholly within California...
, northern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Its land area is nominally 53 acres (214,483.6 m²), but may vary significantly as lake levels rise and fall. It is 500 feet (152.4 m) offshore from the north shore of the eastern arm of Clear Lake, the site of the Elem Indian Colony
Elem Indian Colony
The Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians are a Native American band of Pomo based on near Clearlake Oaks, California on the Eastern shore of Clear Lake...
.
There is evidence of Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
activity on the island, possibly dating back as much as 8,000 years, although little archaeological work has been conducted. This site is connected with the prehistoric Post Pattern
Post Pattern
The Post Pattern refers to a Paleo-Indian archaeological culture of artifacts found in northwest California dating between 9,000-13,000 years ago. Excavation sites are around Clear Lake and Borax Lake. The Post Pattern is a local manifestation of the Western Pluvial Lakes Tradition.It is believed...
, and has probably been used by the Southeastern Pomo
Pomo people
The Pomo people are an indigenous peoples of California. The historic Pomo territory in northern California was large, bordered by the Pacific Coast to the west, extending inland to Clear Lake, and mainly between Cleone and Duncans Point...
throughout prehistoric times. The Elem Pomo Colony have claimed the island to be their place of origin, and a political and religious center.
A history of ownership disputes dates as far back as the late nineteenth century. Due to a controversial 1949 U.S. court decision, the Elem Pomo tribe lost legal control of 80,000 acres (320 km²) of its ancestral land, including the island. At present, legal title to the island is held by a Bay Area businessman, John Nady (founder of Nady Systems Inc.) His 2003 attempt to obtain permits to construct a log cabin on the island was challenged by Elem Indian Colony members but eventually granted. John Parker, a local archaeologist, petitioned the federal government to add the island to the National Register of Historical Places. John Nady is currently developing a sustainable vacation home there with solar power and resident livestock.
External links
- Elem Nation of Pomo official website
- Lake County Record-Bee article about the dispute
- Article about possible sale of the Konocti Harbor resort to local tribes
- Editorial commentary about the Nady-Elem dispute
- KFOG's Big Rick Stuart's blog on Rattlesnake Island
- "The Struggle for Rattlesnake Island", Free Speech Radio NewsFree Speech Radio NewsFree Speech Radio News is an independently produced half hour daily national and international radio news program focusing on peace and social justice issues in the US and around the world. FSRN is collectively run by its workers and reporters...
, radio documentary, air-date November 24, 2011. Audio download.