Wintun

The Wintun Native American speaking indigenous peoples historically occupied one of the largest territories in Northern California, from the southern drainage of Mt. Shasta to San Pablo and Suisun Bays in the northern San Francisco Bay area. Traditionally they occupied most of present-day Shasta, Trinity, Tehema, Glenn, Siskiyou, Napa, and Lake counties in California. Divided into three subgroups – Wintu (Northern Wintun), Nomlaki (Centeral Wintun), and Patwin (Southern Wintun) – the Wintun language is part of the Penutian language family. Prior to Euroamerican contact it is estimated that the Wintun Native American peoples numbered around 12,000 individuals. Today the Wintun Native American peoples reside throughout California, including on the Round Valley Reservation, the Redding (Clear Creek) Rancheria, the Colusa Rancheria, Grindstone Creek Rancheria, and Rumsey Rancheria.

Name: Wintun. The Wintun are divided into three subgroups: Wintu (Northern Wintun), Nomlaki (Central Wintun), and Patwin (Southern Wintun).

Location: The area encompassing present-day Shasta, Trinity, Tehema, Glenn, Siskiyou, Napa, and Lake Counties in Northern California.

Population: Prior to Euroamerican contact, it is estimated that 12,000 individuals resided in the Wintun homeland. Today there are believed to be over 1,000 Wintun Native Americans living in California.

Language Family: Penutian.

First Contact by Euroamericans: In 1826 when trapper Peter Skene Ogden encountered them.

Current Tribal Status: The Wintun Native Americans are actively involved in maintaining their cultural traditions, and the Hayfork, Bald Hills, Winnemem, and Toyon Tribal Organizations are actively seeking federal recognition. The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians received federal recognition in 1994.

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