Yahi

The Yahi Native Americans – members of the Hokan language stock – are a subgroup of the larger Yana language speaking indigenous peoples of California. Yana territory historically was divided into four areas based on slight differences of the Yana language: Northern Yana, Central Yana, Southern Yana, and Yahi. Yahi means “people” in the Yana language. Traditional Yahi Native American territory included the area along Deer and Mill Creeks, bordered on the west by the Sacramento River and on the east by Mt. Lassen. In historical documents they have been referred to as “the Deer Creek Indians,” “the Mill Creek Indians,” or “the Lassen Indians.” Prior to Euroamerican contact it is estimated that approximately 200-300 indigenous Yahi people occupied their homeland. The last Yahi, the famous Ishi, died on March 25, 1916.

Name: Yahi. The word Yahi is a form of the word Yana and means “people.”

Location: In present-day Tehema county along Deer Creek and Mill Creek.

Population: Prior to Euroamerican contact approximately 200-300 individuals. There are no known Yahi Native Americans living today.

Language Family: Hokan.

First Contact by Euroamericans: Unknown, but in 1848 immigrants began coming through Yahi territory on the Lassen Trail.

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