Plymouth, CA – The Ione Band of Miwok Indians are pleased to announce Governor Newsom’s signature of a tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and the Ione Band of Miwok Indians. “On behalf of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians, I would like to thank Governor Newsom and his staff for their hard work and dedication as we worked to achieve this important milestone, particularly in light of the state’s many responsibilities addressing the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chairperson Sara Dutschke. “This is an exciting time for our Tribe, and we look forward to continuing to foster a strong and prosperous government-to-government relationship with the State of California and Amador County.”

The tribal-state gaming compact permits the Ione Band of Miwok Indians to develop a gaming facility on the Tribe’s sovereign trust lands in Amador County, allowing for Class III gaming device operation, card tables and off-track wagering on horse races.

The compact reflects a commitment from the Tribe to support investments in local jurisdictions, non-profits and civic organizations for improved emergency services, law enforcement, public transit, education, environmental protection and tourism, as well as other services and infrastructure improvements while also fairly regulating gaming activities, affording meaningful consumer and employee protections and mitigating the off-reservation impacts of the gaming facility.

The terms of the compact also outline the Ione Band of Miwok Indian’s commitment to revenue sharing with non-gaming and limited gaming tribes through the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund and the Tribal Nation Grant Fund.

“This milestone is a critical step in establishing long-term economic self-sufficiency and prosperity for our people,” said Dutschke. “This opportunity will not only improve the quality of life for our Tribe, but also allow us to bring hundreds of competitive career opportunities and economic viability to our community. Revenue generated will be used to support our Tribe’s social and educational programs, housing, healthcare and the preservation of cultural resources; things we have struggled to maintain and provide our members for generations.”

In March of 2020, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), acquired over 220 acres of land into federal trust for the Tribe in Amador County.

The acreage is located in Plymouth, CA, adjacent to State Highway 49, and is on the ancestral land of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians. The Tribe is comprised of over 750 members and governed by a 5-member elected tribal council. The vast majority of the Tribe’s members live in Amador County, Sacramento and Elk Grove.
The Ione Band of Miwok Indians is a federally recognized Indian tribe of Miwok people, comprised of over 750 members in Amador County, CA. The Tribe is governed by a General Council with the day-to-day governance conducted by a 5-member tribal council: Sara Dutschke Setshwaelo (Chair), Tracy Tripp (Vice Chair), Sandra Waters (Treasurer), Christine Hendricks (Secretary) and George Gurion (Member at Large).

For more information, please direct questions to info@ionemiwok.net.

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