FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Over 17,000 acres of land in the Sierra Nevada foothills and Central Valley were returned to the Tule River Tribe, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday.

The new 17,030 acres of land will be located in the Yowlumne Hills, near the Tule River Indian Reservation.

“This land return demonstrates the very essence of tribal land restoration, which expands access to essential food and medicinal resources," said Tule River Tribal Council Chairman Leister “Shine” R. Nieto Jr. "It also supports the ongoing preservation of cultural sites, deepens environmental stewardship, and restores wildlife reintroduction efforts. "

To support the reclamation, the Governor also announced the reintroduction of elk, which once roamed the hills, supporting the natives befor

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