The Moapa Band of Paiute Indians resides on the Moapa River Reservation. We are a recognized Indian tribe organized under a Constitution approved by the Secretary of the Interior on April 17, 1942.

The tribal lands originally set aside in 1874 consisted of two million acres, but in 1876 it was reduced to a thousand acres. In December 1980, under the Carter Administration, an additional 70,000 acres were provided. The current total land base is 71,954 acres.

The tribe’s primary business enterprise centers on the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza, which includes a casino, convenience store, cafe, gas station, and firework store with the largest and most comprehensive selection of fireworks in the West.

Tribal Council governs the tribe.

The Land

Moapa Valley is the prehistoric flood plain of the Muddy River, which flows through the valley and drains into Lake Mead. The region surrounding the reservation is famous for its sandstone rock formations. Nearby Valley of Fire is a sacred area.

Coal is the dirtiest energy source - laced with mercury, arsenic, lead and other toxics. As it’s burned it creates significant problems for our health. These contaminants billow out of smokestacks right next to Moapa Paiute tribal lands. Toxic dust called coal ash picks up from the landfills and slag ponds of the coal-fired Reid Gardner Power Station and heads toward the reservation like a sandstorm. Watch this video to find out about this threat to the Moapa Paiutes.
AN ILL WIND, the secret threat of coal ash.