shasta tribe

The Military Pass Geothermal Project is located in the aboriginal homeland of the Shasta Indian Nation on the north flank of Mt. Shasta.   The Native Restoration Fund (NRF) determined that the rightful benefactors of a portion of the funds will go to the Shasta Indian Nation.  Research showed that the Shastas are split into two factions and that there is confusion among the groups concerning who has the right to speak for the Shastas.  After research of documents found to date, the NRF concluded the group represented by Chairman Larry Doke and Secretary Ray Shelton had the clearest and best documented history to represent the best interests of all tribal members including the other smaller faction.

A meeting between Vulcan Power Company and the Shastas was called for by the Chairman of the Shastas Larry Doke on May 5th 2006 in Weed, CA.  The Shasta Indian Nation expressed in this first meeting that they wanted an apology from the Federal government for the mistreatment of the past, Federal recognition in 2006 of their tribal status in the name of the Shasta Indian Nation duly representing all living and deceased members of the Shasta Tribe, and to secure a 20,000 acre homeland within the tribe’s aboriginal land.

Vulcan described its proposed project to develop the geothermal properties on the north flank of Mt. Shasta.  It asked members to read about and research the proposal and visit the proposed area to determine if any sensitive historic sites exist near the proposed plant. If no sensitive sites are found and proposed environmental mitigation is followed, the tribe was asked to support the Vulcan proposed geothermal energy project.  A preliminary document was drawn up, sent to the tribe for review and later signed by tribal representatives.

Vulcan was asked to review the credentials of a lobbyist proposed to the tribe as a recognized Indian rights leader in Washington, D.C.  In the investigation, Vulcan connected The Institute for Tribal Government to the Shastas and they agreed to look at the tribes current situation.  The NRF donated $20,000 to further the group’s goals and pledged to immediately fund an office and phone so that communication and organization would be improved.  The Federal re-recognition process was advanced with a two day conference Vulcan assisted with and it reportedly continues.