Winema
Winema, also known as Toby Riddle, is a notable figure in Modoc history, recognized for her bravery and actions during a tumultuous period in the 19th century. As a young girl, she garnered attention for guiding her canoe through perilous rapids to save her friends. By the age of fourteen, she led a successful surprise attack against a rival tribe, showcasing her leadership skills. Winema's life took a significant turn after her marriage to a white rancher, which initially caused her to be ostracized by her Modoc tribe. However, her talent as an interpreter allowed her to regain respect within her community, as she played a crucial role in mediating conflicts between the Modocs and white settlers. She is also remembered for warning a white peace commission about a plot against them, although her advice was ultimately disregarded. After the Modoc War, Winema gained fame and toured as part of a theatrical production about her life. She returned to Oregon in 1890 and used her federal pension largely to support her Modoc community. Winema’s legacy is a complex blend of cultural loyalty, conflict, and reconciliation, highlighting her multifaceted role in both her tribe and broader American society.
Winema
Category: Interpreter
Tribal affiliation: Modoc
Significance: Fluent in English, Winema became an interpreter and mediator during the Modoc War of 1873
Earning a reputation as a brave child, Winema once safely guided her canoe through dangerous rapids to save the lives of several companions. At age fourteen, she led warriors to victory during a surprise attack by a rival tribe.
After marrying Toby Riddle, a white rancher, she was scorned by her tribe, though later her usefulness as an interpreter enabled her to regain her status. On several occasions, she helped diffuse tensions and mediate quarrels between Modocs and whites.
She was shunned by her cousin, Captain Jack, leader of the Modoc War, after trying to convince him to return to Oregon. In February of 1873, Winema warned a white peace commission of a murder plot by Captain Jack. Ignoring her warning, two members of the commission were killed; Winema rescued a third, Alfred Meacham.
Following the war, Winema became a celebrity, touring cities in a theatrical production about her life. She returned to the state of Oregon in 1890, and she was granted a pension by the federal government, most of which she donated to the Modocs.