Shoshonean

Treaty of July 3, 1868

On July 3, 1868, the Treaty at Fort Bridger was signed between the United States and the Shoshone and Bannack tribes, establishing peace and mutual responsibilities. Both parties committed to addressing wrongs and maintaining harmony. The treaty outlined the establishment of reservations, the construction of buildings, and provisions for education and farming support for the tribes. It granted rights to land selection and enforced compliance with agricultural education, ensuring the tribes received annual clothing and support. The treaty emphasized cooperation, protection, and the promise of a better future for both parties.

Kiowa Indians

The Kiowa Indians, meaning “principal people” in their language, are historically linked to the Tanoan stock and primarily located in parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. Traditionally, the Kiowa migrated from the Missouri River region southward, forming alliances with the Crow, Arapaho, and Cheyenne, eventually establishing a partnership with the Comanche. Known for their raiding prowess, they were significant players on the southern Plains. By 1937, the Kiowa population was reported at 2,263.

Northern Paiute Indians

The Northern Paiute, also referred to by various names including Monachi and Paviotso, are a group distinct from traditional tribes, primarily inhabiting western Nevada, southeastern Oregon, and parts of California. They have a complex dialectic division within the Shoshonean Branch of the Uto-Aztecan stock. Historically, they faced displacement in the 19th century due to the encroachment of neighboring tribes and European settlers. Their villages reflected a diverse, often fluctuating population based on economic needs, with interactions with European trappers beginning around 1825, leading to both conflict and cultural resilience.

Southern Paiute Indians

The Southern Paiute, also known by various names including Nüma and Diggers, are part of the Ute-Chemehuevi group within the Shoshonean branch of the Ute-Aztecan stock. They inhabit regions across western Utah, northwestern Arizona, southeastern Nevada, and parts of California. While they encountered Spanish explorers in the 16th and 17th centuries, significant encroachment on their lands began after U.S. annexation of California and New Mexico. Although they have faced population declines, their connections to the land and identity remain significant, despite occasional tensions with settlers.

Bannock Indians

The Bannock Indians, self-identified as Banakwŭt, are part of the Shoshonean branch of the Uto-Aztecan linguistic stock. Historically located in southeastern Idaho, they faced significant population declines due to diseases and loss of territory. Their interactions with settlers increased after Fort Hall was established in 1834, leading to the creation of a reservation in 1869. A significant uprising occurred in 1878, eventually suppressed by military forces. Their numbers fluctuated over the years, with a modern census reporting around 415 individuals in 1930.

Yahuskin Tribe

The Yahuskin Indians, a Shoshonean band, roamed the region around Goose, Silver, Warner, and Harney Lakes, Oregon, before ceding their territory to the United States in the 1864 Klamath Lake treaty. They were placed on the Klamath Reservation, where they settled along the Sprague River near Yainax. By 1898, their tribal identity faded due to intermarriage with other groups, and they were officially recognized as Paiute. By 1909, their population was reported at 103, reflecting a shift from their traditional lifestyle to agriculture.

Juaneño Tribe

The Juaneño Indians, a Shoshonean group located along the California coast, derived their name from the San Juan Capistrano mission. Their territory stretched from Alisos Carek to a location between San Onofre and Las Flores Creeks. The Juaneño language is related to those of the Luiseños, Kawia, and Aguas Calientes tribes. In 1873, only 40 Juaneños were documented in the area, and the majority of them have since perished or become dispersed.

Lohim Tribe

The Lohim Indians, a small Shoshonean band residing on Willow Creek in Southern Oregon, are likely associated with the Mono-Paviotso group. They have not established any treaties with the government and are often regarded as renegades from the Umatilla Reservation. In 1870, their population was noted at 114, yet their name has not been recorded in more recent official documents. Notably, the explorer Ross mistakenly identified them as Nez Percé.

Tübatulabal Tribe

The Tübatulabal Indians, known as “pine-nut eaters,” were a small tribe that historically resided in the Kern River valley in Southern California, primarily around the confluence of the main and south forks. They are part of the Shoshonean family, along with the Bankalachi, forming one of its four main branches.

History of San Luis Rey de Francia Mission

San Luis Rey de Francia Mission, founded on June 13, 1798, in San Diego County, was the last mission established in California south of Santa Barbara. Led by Fr. Peyri, it quickly grew, reaching a population of 2,603 by 1820, the highest number of neophytes among all missions. The mission prospered materially, managing extensive ranches and livestock. However, following secularization in 1834, it faced rapid decline. By the mid-19th century, the mission’s properties changed hands, eventually becoming a college for training missionaries after renovations in the late 19th century.

History of San Juan Capistrano Mission

The San Juan Capistrano Mission, founded by Fr. Junípero Serra on November 10, 1776, initially faced challenges but flourished through agricultural development and conversion efforts. By 1812, it had a substantial population of converts, thriving livestock, and a remarkable stone church completed in 1806. However, mismanagement and natural disasters led to a decline in the neophyte population and resources by the 1830s. The mission underwent secularization in 1833, resulting in a significant reduction of its community and eventual dissolution by 1845, leaving only ruins behind.

Shoshoni Tribe

The Shoshoni Tribe is the northernmost division of the Shoshonean family, historically inhabiting parts of Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. They were primarily horse and buffalo hunters, with distinct lifestyles varying by region: northern groups lived in tipis, while those in the arid west used brush shelters. The tribe’s name likely originated from another group, with several dialects spoken among various bands. The population was around 3,250 in 1909, with several subdivisions noted.

Shoshonean Indians

The Shoshonean linguistic family represents a significant portion of North American Indian heritage, covering a vast territory from Montana to Texas and including parts of California. The Shoshonean tribes, such as the Shoshoni, Bannock, and Comanche, exhibited diverse lifestyles influenced by their environments. While some, like the Comanche, were buffalo hunters, others relied on small game and rudimentary agriculture due to their harsher landscapes. Notable among them are the Hopi, advanced in agriculture and pottery. Linguistically, they are classified into several major divisions, reflecting their rich cultural diversity.

Serrano Tribe

The Serrano Indians, a Shoshonean division, inhabited areas around the San Bernardino Mountains and down the Mohave River in Southern California. Described by Fray Francisco Garcés in the 18th century, they lived in communal houses and engaged in extensive trade, particularly with coastal tribes. Typically medium in stature, the Serrano men often went naked while women wore deerskin. Their livelihood relied on wild game and acorns. By 1885, 390 Serranos were associated with Mission agencies, although they are no longer distinctly counted.

Buena Vista Tribe

The Buena Vista Tribe, encompassing the Buena Vista Band and the Me-Wuk Indians, resides in California’s Amador County and has a rich historical presence since before European contact. The tribe secured land through the 1851 treaty, which later diminished due to colonization, the Gold Rush, and disease. By the late 19th century, their population had significantly decreased. Recognized federally since 1985, the Buena Vista Rancheria comprises 67 acres. Despite historical hardships, the tribe has maintained its cultural practices and communal identity.

Bankalachi Tribe

The Bankalachi Tribe, also known by their Yokuts name, is a small Shoshonean group located along upper Deer Creek, which feeds into Tulare Lake in southern California. They belong to one of the four primary linguistic divisions within the region, alongside the Tübatulabal tribe. The tribe’s original name remains unidentified.

Bagiopa Tribe

The Bagiopa Indians were noted by Fray Francisco Garcés in 1776, residing north of the Rio Colorado. Padre Eusebio Kino mentioned them in 1701, positioning them on the Gulf Coast of Lower California, leading to some confusion regarding their classification. While they were considered part of the Lower Colorado Yuman tribes, their absence in missionary accounts suggests they may have belonged to the Shoshonean family. Their name likely derives from Piman origins, indicating their identity as a distinct group.

Agua Caliente Tribe

The Agua Caliente Tribe, a small Shoshonean group in Southern California, is associated linguistically with the Kawia, Luiseno, and Juaneño. They inhabit villages such as Gupa and Wilakal, the latter now part of Los Coyotes Reservation. Legal decisions led to the reassignment of their lands, culminating in a 1902 Congressional act that added territory to Pala Reservation and facilitated the relocation of the tribe and neighboring Diegueño rancherias in 1903, with a population of approximately 300 at that time.

Condition of the Idaho Indians in 1890

U.S. Indian Agent and Party on Fort Hall Reservation

In 1890, the Indian population in Idaho was summarized across various reservations, reflecting a complex mix of tribes and their current living conditions. The Bannocks and Shoshones, primarily at Fort Hall, were intermarried and faced challenges in adapting to farming and ranching. The Nez Percé, largely Presbyterian, cultivated their lands but contended with white cattle intrusions. The Coeur d’Alene tribes were more assimilated, living in frame houses and attending church. Each group exhibited varying degrees of adaptation and socio-economic stability amidst ongoing struggles with cultural preservation and external pressures.

Luisefio Indians

The Luisefio, also known as the Luiseno, are an indigenous group rooted in the Shoshonean division of the Uto-Aztecan linguistic family. They inhabit the southwest region of California, primarily around the San Luis Rey River. Historically, their population was estimated at 4,000 in 1770, but subsequent counts show significant decline, with only about 500 reported in recent years. Key villages include Ahuya, Akipa, and Pala, among others, reflecting their diverse settlements along the waterways of their territory.