Wailaki

The Wailaki Native American peoples are the northern most Athabaskan speaking indigenous peoples who traditionally lived on the Eel River in present-day Mendocino County, California. Wailaki means “northern language” in Wintun, leading early anthropologists to think they were part of the Wintun indigenous peoples. The Wailaki Native Americans refer to themselves as Kenesti. Prior to Euroamerican contact it is estimated that there were around 3,350 Wailaki Native Americans living in Mendocino County. In 1856 the Wailaki, along with seven other indigenous groups were relocated to the Round Valley Reservation. Today there are around 1,100 Wailaki Native Americans.

Name: Wailaki, which means “northern language” in Wintun. The Wailaki refer to themselves as Kenesti.

Location: Northeastern Mendocino County in northern California.

Population: Prior to Euroamerican contact it is estimated that there were over 3,350 Wailaki Native Americans; today there are over 1,100 known Wailaki Native Americans.

Language Family: Athabascan.

First Contact by Euroamericans: Unknown, but believed to have been around the 1820s to 1830s.

Current Tribal Status: Currently the Wailaki Native Americans live on the Round Valley Reservation with seven other indigenous groups.

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