The Bishop Paiute Tribe is located at the foot of the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Bishop, CA, and is the fifth largest tribe in California with over 2,000 enrolled members. The tribe provides members with various programs and services and operates a variety of tribal owned entities and enterprises. The tribe is engaged in progressive development and highly values self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and maintains committed to being a strong self-governing sovereign nation.

A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION

Honoring our past, respecting traditions, moving forward to our future. The tribe provides members with various programs and services and operates a variety of tribally owned entities and enterprises. The tribe is engaged in progressive development and highly values self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and maintains committed to being a strong self-governing sovereign nation. The culture of the Paiute people is deeply embedded with the surrounding environment. The natural resources provided by land, water, and air, have been safeguarded by the tribe for numerous years. The traditions of the Paiutes are alive and active today, and can be witnessed in one of the tribes many traditional functions and festivities.

TRIBAL COUNCIL

The Bishop Paiute Tribal Council is the governing board for the tribe and its people. The council is elected by a voting system set forth by the tribe’s own bylaws and governance policies.

HISTORICAL TIMELINE

In 1912, the U.S. Government reserved over 67,000 acres in Owens Valley for Native Americans. However, in 1932, President Hoover revoked this reservation, placing the land under watershed protection for Los Angeles. By 1936, the City of Los Angeles acquired the remaining lands, and in exchange, the federal government granted 875 acres that now form the Bishop Paiute Reservation at the base of the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Paiute people living there today are descendants of the Nu-Mu, the original inhabitants of Owens Valley.

IN THE PRESENT

Despite having one of the smallest land bases, the Bishop Paiute Tribe has become the fifth largest California Tribe, with approximately 2,000 members. The Tribal government has invested in technical upgrades and infrastructure to support present and future growth. 

A major milestone was reached on October 31, 2020, with the grand opening of Wanaaha Casino, formerly Paiute Palace Casino. After expanding the gaming floor and adding dining outlets, the Tribe plans to build an adjacent hotel, signaling continued economic development.

The tribe manages the Conservation Open Space Area (COSA) and has collaborated on projects to reintroduce the native Owens pupfish to tribal lands. They also operate the Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center, which features artifacts, art, and a memorial hall for veterans.

The Bishop Paiute Tribe also owns and operates KBPT-LP (96.1 FM), a low-power community radio station known as “The Voice of the Bishop Paiute Tribe.” Broadcasting from Bishop, California, this station serves as a vital platform for sharing tribal news, cultural programs, and community updates, reinforcing the tribe’s commitment to communication and cultural preservation.