What is Wilton Rancheria?<\/p>\n
Wilton Rancheria, the only federally recognized tribe in Sacramento County, includes more than 1,600 citizens of Nisenan and Miwok heritage, according to previous Sacramento Bee reporting. Tarango described the hotel as an investment in tribal citizens and a way to give back to Elk Grove and the broader Sacramento region.<\/p>\n
The tribe opened Sky River Casino in 2022, in partnership with Boyd Gaming Corp.<\/a> It unveiled an expanded gaming floor<\/a> and a new 1,600 space parking garage<\/a> earlier this year.<\/p>\n The casino features 120,000 square feet of gaming, including 2,500 slot machines and 81 table games, along with 18 restaurants and bars.<\/p>\n The hotel project follows broader economic contributions by the tribe, including donations to local fire departments and nonprofits, part-ownership of Sacramento Republic FC<\/a> and sponsorships of Sacramento State athletics and Wileety Native American College.<\/p>\n Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen said the groundbreaking was \u201ca day of great pride\u201d for both the city and Wilton Rancheria. She said the partnership between the city and the tribe has been key to their shared success.<\/p>\n \u201cThis means a lot to their tribal nation,\u201d Singh-Allen said. \u201cTheir success is everyone\u2019s success.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Singh-Allen and Tarango praised the flying of the Wilton Rancheria flag at Elk Grove City Hall<\/a> year-round as a sign of the strong partnership between the two groups.<\/p>\n \u201cThat wouldn\u2019t happen if we didn\u2019t have relationships like with the government,\u201d Tarango said. \u201cIt\u2019s a great relationship, and we look forward to making it bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Reclaiming what is ours\u2019<\/p>\n Wilton Rancheria is a tribe that bounced back after losing federal recognition under the California Rancheria Termination Acts of 1959, which stripped tribes of sovereignty and resources<\/a>, according to previous Bee reporting.<\/p>\n The tribe was also among those affected by the genocide of Indigenous people in California during the Gold Rush, said Assemblymember James Ramos, D-Highland, who is Serrano and Cahuilla.<\/p>\n Ramos said the project reflects the tribe\u2019s resilience and long path to recovery.<\/p>\n \u201cWilton, included, suffered great atrocities during those times,\u201d Ramos said. \u201cSo to be able to be here today to celebrate with them, it isn\u2019t just an opening at a casino, it\u2019s about righting the wrongs of the past of the state of California.\u201d<\/p>\n Wilton Rancheria regained federal recognition in 2009 after years of advocacy by tribal leaders.<\/p>\n Tarango said the hotel and resort are part of a broader effort to rebuild the tribe\u2019s sovereignty and economic base.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are a people reclaiming what is ours,\u201d Tarango said. \u201cWe are building, and we are building something that will provide, sustain and uplift the entire region for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 2:04 PM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n Camryn Dadey<\/a><\/p>\n The Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n Camryn Dadey is The Sacramento Bee\u2019s Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova watchdog reporter. She is a 2022 graduate of Sacramento State.\n <\/p>\n
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