VIDEO: Kern is “river of life” for Yokuts tribes

Welcome to the second in our series of videos looking at who owns the Kern River.

The Yokuts, which included 40 to 50 different tribes, used the Kern River for everything from food to transportation for centuries.

But the tribes, which are still here in the San Joaquin Valley today, were not considered when the river’s waters were divvied up by settlers.

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.

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.