Atsugewi
The Atsugewi are a Native American tribe from northeastern California, traditionally divided into two groups: the Atsuge, known as the "Pine Tree People," and the Apwaruge, or "Juniper Tree People." Prior to European contact, the Atsugewi were organized into a socioeconomically stratified society, primarily residing in five main villages. Their homes were constructed as bark lodges or earthlodges, with villages serving as key political units. The tribe's economy was based on the accumulation of wealth through industriousness, with fish and acorns as staple foods, which were processed using advanced techniques for storage.
European contact began in 1827 when Peter Skene Ogden arrived, leading to increased interactions with settlers in the following decades. The Hudson's Bay Company established a presence in the region during the 1830s, which contributed to tensions and conflicts with settlers, resulting in violence and punitive actions against the Atsugewi. Some members were subsequently relocated to the Round Valley Reservation, and the tribe later engaged in the Ghost Dance movement in 1890. The Atsugewi's rich history reflects their resilience and adaptation in the face of significant change.
Atsugewi
Category: Tribe
Culture area: California
Language group: Palaihnihan
Primary location: Burney Valley and Mount Lassen, California
Prior to European contact, the Atsugewi were a socioeconomically stratified society, divided into two territorial groups: the Atsuge (“Pine Tree People”), most of whose population was confined to five main villages, and the Apwaruge (“Juniper Tree People”), who occupied more extensive territory. People lived in either bark lodges or earthlodges, with the village being the principal autonomous political unit. Traditional forms of wealth could be acquired and accumulated by anyone willing to be industrious. Fish and acorns, the staple foods, were acquired and stored by elaborate technologies, particularly the leaching of tannic acid from acorns and horse chestnuts.
First contact with European Americans was in 1827 with Peter Skene Ogden. By the 1830’s, the Hudson’s Bay Company was trapping in the area and had established a trail from Klamath to Hat Creek, which provided access to prospectors entering the area in 1851. Conflict erupted with settlers, some of whom were killed at Fall River, which led to a punitive war by white volunteers. Some Atsugewi were removed to the Round Valley Reservation, and many participated shortly after in the Ghost Dance movement of 1890.