Elk Valley Rancheria was originally founded in the early twentieth century with the intent to provide for displaced Native Americans. The ranchería was held in trust by the United States until the California Rancheria Termination Acts in 1958. In 1983, Hardwick v. United States created the "1983 Stipulation", allowing the Elk Valley Rancheria to reform their lands into a United States-held trust and be federally recognized as a tribe.[3][4]