The Kashaya, also known as the Kashia, are a Native American people who reside in Sonoma County, California.

Historically, their first contact was with Russians who treated them favorably. While other tribes experienced great atrocities, they experienced relative peace and resided on a local farmer's land who had married a Kashaya. Later, they were forced inland to live on a reservation. In October 2015, California landowner Bill Richardson returned his 688-acre farm to the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria, restoring their access to the Pacific coast after they were forced to an inland reservation approximately 150 years earlier. ( Read More)

Their language, Kashaya, is one of several other Pomo languages that is still spoken. There are around 20 to 30 speakers remaining. Elders teach their language on the reservation school and teach semi-weekly classes for adults.

In the mid-1950s Mormons were first to see conversions from traditional tribal beliefs. In time, divisions between Mormon Kashaya and those who held onto traditional beliefs took place. Later, a few Kashaya became Pentecostals.

Traditional religion is still alive among Kashaya. Ceremonial dances, songs, dreams, and visions are valued all having a spiritual meaning.

Today, there is no longer a spiritual leader or formal gathering leaders, but there are gathering areas. They celebrate the summer food ceremony, connecting annual coastal food gathering to Kashaya ritual life. They also sing the gathering song before traveling to the coast.