NORTH FORK, CA – The North Fork Rancheria Department of Children and Family Services/Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) program is inviting community members to take part in a multi-session Cultural Workshop focused on traditional beadwork and its cultural teachings.

The workshop will offer participants an opportunity to learn about the cultural significance of beadwork while gaining hands-on instruction from instructors Dale and Julie Tex and Mandy Macias. Organizers say the sessions are designed not only to teach technique, but also to share the deeper cultural meanings and traditions connected to this form of artistic expression.

Classes are scheduled for January 30, followed by February 6, 13, and 20, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All sessions will be held at the North Fork Community Center, located at 56901 Kunugib Way in North Fork.

During the four in-person sessions, participants will learn how to create a beaded bracelet. All materials will be provided, and dinner and refreshments will be available each evening.

The workshop is open to adults 18 years and older, as well as students ages 13 and up. Space is limited to 20 participants, and an RSVP is mandatory.

Tribal Commitment to Community Well-Being

The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians has long maintained a broad commitment to supporting local families and tribal citizens through comprehensive programs and services that address economic, educational, housing, and cultural needs. As a federally recognized sovereign nation of more than 3,000 tribal citizens, the Tribe has focused on strengthening the health and welfare of its community since its federal recognition was restored in 1983.

Through initiatives like Tribal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), the Rancheria provides supportive services such as job training, employment preparation, childcare assistance, and transportation reimbursement — all aimed at promoting self-sufficiency and family stability for Native American families across several Central and coastal California counties.

In addition to social services, the North Fork Rancheria has made significant investments in housing for tribal citizens. The Tribe’s housing authority developed the North Fork LIHTC Homes #1 project, an affordable housing community that received statewide recognition for excellence and includes access to after-school programming, adult education, and wellness activities.

These efforts reflect a long-standing institutional mission “to protect, sustain, and enhance the health, welfare, culture and future of the Tribe,” according to the Tribal Council’s published mission.

Details and Contact

For more information or to reserve a spot in the Cultural Workshop, contact the North Fork Rancheria DCFS Office by phone at 559-877-5555 or via email at icwa@nfr-nsn.gov.

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