The Graton Rancheria was a 15.45-acre (62,500 m2) property in the coastal hills of northern California, about two miles (3 km) northwest of Sebastopol.

[5] A ranchería, the Spanish term for Indian village, is a small plot of land reserved for area Native Americans, usually only large enough for residences and gardens.

[6] Bureau of Indian Affairs inspector John J. Terrell tried to secure coastal lands for the Coast Miwok but found the costs prohibitively expensive.

[5] By 1954, the Eisenhower administration identified forty-four California Indian tribes or rancherias for termination, that is, unilaterally ended federal trust relationship with the Native groups in order to facilitate assimilation into mainstream society.

[10] FIGR Chairman Greg Sarris testified before the House Resource Committee that "15.45 acres were purchased in Graton for our members.