VIDEO: Kern River Valley tribe excluded from river rights

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

This is the first in our new series of videos exploring who owns the waters of the Kern River.

The Tubatulabal tribe lived along the north and south forks of the Kern River for possibly as long as 6,000 years before the first settlers arrived.

The tribe lost its lands and was suffered horribly. Its members, though, are still here and very much a part of the Kern River Valley community.

And the river is still a key part of their heritage.

This series:

Tubatulabal: The tribe lived along the branches of the upper Kern River for 6,000 years.
Yokuts: The Kern River was a lifeline for the various San Joaquin Valley tribes, collectively known as Yokuts. Coming Tuesday, August, 12, 2025.

Rights: Most Kern River rights are held by agricultural water districts and the City of Bakersfield. Coming Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Public Trust: Several local groups believe the public has a right to Kern River water and are suing Bakersfield. Coming Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

* Made possible by a grant from the Virginia and Alfred Harrell Foundation.