Wappo

The Wappo Native Americans historically occupied parts of present-day Lake, Napa, and Sonoma counties in California. Anthropologists have divided them up based on their territorial location: the Lile’ek or Clear Lake Wappo held a small portion along the southern shore of Clear Lake and the eastern side of Cole Creek. The Western Wappo historically occupied the area of the Alexander Valley, including a stretch of the Russian River and Elk Creek. The Northern Wappo included modern Middletown and the southern headwaters of Putah Creek. The Central Wappo traditionally lived in the area south of Mt. St. Helena in the Napa River Valley. Finally, the Southern Wappo lived in the southern Napa Valley and at the head of Sonoma Creek. Traditionally the Wappo have referred to themselves as Mishewal. The name guapo, meaning brave, was given to them by the Spanish and was misinterpreted by later Euroamerican migrants as Wappo. Prior to Euroamerican contact, it is estimated that around 500 to 1,000 Wappo Native Americans lived in their traditional homeland; today there are over 400 people who claim Mishewal Wappo ancestry.

Name: Wappo.

Location: Parts of present-day Lake, Sonoma, and Napa counties.

Population: Prior to Euroamerican contact between 500 and 1,000 individuals; today there are over 400 known Wappo.

Language Family: Yukian.

First Contact by Euroamericans: Unknown, but in 1823 Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma was established in the present-day city of Sonoma.

Current Tribal Status: Although the Wappo Native Americans have no official reservation lands, many people still live in their or around their traditional homeland.

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