Tribal Statement

NCR Nisenan Tribal Statement on Lateral Violence in Native Communities

The Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe (Tribe) would like to respond to and put to rest recent bouts of misinformation, circulating rumors, fear-mongering, and aggression from a few misguided and misinformed individuals in the community. Our Cultural protocol makes it clear that we are not to engage in these types of behavior, even defensively. Our recent work around trauma and the legacy of genocide in California helps us see these actions as part of a larger embedded issue known as “lateral violence.” Instead of reacting to the individuals spreading rumors, Tribal protocol guides us to deeper reflection, expanding our understanding collectively and calling for education and learning for all affected. Tribal members are well documented Nisenan descendants of the Original People who were here before the gold rush. They remain here today in our Homelands. Rumors saying otherwise are truly gossip and completely unfounded.  

Definition and Context: Lateral violence, or internalized colonialism, occurs when oppressed individuals direct their frustration towards their community rather than their oppressors. In Indigenous communities, this violence is rooted in colonization, trauma, racism, and discrimination.

Manifestations: Lateral violence can take various forms:

• Social Exclusion: Refusing to allow someone into a social group, gossiping, ignoring, or ostracizing individuals.

• Claiming Supremacy: Assertions that specific Native individuals or groups are “more Native” or hold “more culture” than others.

• Cyberbullying: Spreading rumors or treating someone unkindly online.

• Public Slander: Attempting to discredit individuals or Tribal groups.

• Intimidation: Threatening behavior, verbal threats of violence, and refusing to help. 

• Physical abuse: Verbal and physical assaults.

Historical Context: Indigenous peoples lived in relative harmony within their territories, with abundant resources. Severe conflict between Tribes emerged only after colonization, the theft of our lands, and the depletion of resources. Peacekeeping was central to Tribal society, ensuring strong relationships for trade, territorial protection, and avoiding internal and external conflict. The gold rush shattered traditional conflict resolution with the loss of leaders skilled in these practices. Today, without access to land, natural resources, spiritual sites, and cultural ceremonies, survival has taken precedence over traditional practices. This absence contributes to the rise of lateral violence. 

Call to Action: Those who engage in lateral violence may not fully recognize their actions or the harm they inflict, often because lateral violence creates a false sense of power or influence. As Tribal people, we must strive, at minimum, to not harm one another and, at best, to uplift each other whenever possible. By building partnerships and providing mutual support, we work collectively toward the wellness of all Indigenous Peoples. The Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, along with many Tribes across the country, is addressing this cycle of harm internally and calls for a collective effort to break the pattern. We urge all Indigenous Peoples to acknowledge our shared trauma and unite in solidarity, fostering mutual respect and support. Through collaborative understanding and self-education, we can address and heal the deep-rooted issues of historical trauma—the driving force behind lateral violence—and move toward a stronger, more unified, and resilient future for all Indigenous communities.

Let us come together to heal and overcome the deep-rooted issues of lateral violence.

—Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe and California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project