Maidu
The Maidu are Indigenous Americans primarily located in northeastern California, with a rich cultural heritage and a legacy of subsistence living through hunting, gathering, and fishing. Traditionally, Maidu people collected acorns, nuts, and berries, using grinding stones for food preparation. They lived in dome-shaped dwellings that housed multiple families and developed seasonal shelters suited to their environment. The Maidu's connection to the spiritual world was significant, with shamans playing essential roles in both politics and healing. Following European contact in the 19th century, the Maidu faced displacement and violence as settlers encroached on their lands, leading to significant hardships, including forced relocations and cultural disruption. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Maidu culture, with organizations like the Konkow Maidu Cultural Preservation Association actively working to preserve their language, traditions, and ancestral lands. Today, three main bands of Maidu are recognized, each with its distinct identity, and they continue efforts to promote cultural pride and secure recognition as sovereign nations, while also engaging in community development projects.
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Maidu
- CATEGORY: Tribe
- CULTURE AREA: California
- LANGUAGE GROUP: Maiduan
- PRIMARY LOCATION: Northern California
- POPULATION SIZE: Estimates vary: 4,000 (2023 Legends of America); or 1,349 (2021: ACS 5-Year Estimates American Indian and Alaska Native Detailed Tables)
Maidu Indigenous Americans occupied a large portion of northeastern California. They hunted, gathered, and fished for subsistence. Indigenous American children and women in the nation gathered acorns, grass seed, roots, nuts, and berries. Surplus foodstuffs were dried, ground into flour, and stored in baskets. The Maidu used nets to catch salmon and other fish. Surplus fish were dried whole and ground into a powder that was eaten dry. They hunted deer, bear, elk, rabbit, and geese with bows and arrows, spears, and hunting dogs. Extra meat was dried for winter usage. Fishing and hunting lands were owned by the entire nation.
Because of the warm climate, the Maidu wore very little clothing. Men might wear deerskin breechclouts or nothing at all; the Indigenous American women in the nation wore apron skirts decorated with tassels made from the same material. Fur robes and snowshoes were worn in winter. Maidu lived in dome-shaped, semi-subterranean, earth-covered dwellings that housed two to three families. During the summer, flat-roofed shade shelters were constructed with oak branches.
The Maidu believed that mysterious powers and spirits surrounded their world, and superstitions abounded. They depended on their shamans’ mysterious powers and ability to speak to the spirit world. Indigenous shamans oversaw political meetings, directed ceremonies, and cured the ill.
European explorers originally came through Maidu territory in the first half of the nineteenth century. A few trappers from the Hudson’s Bay Company later worked in the area. Gold miners came in the mid-1850s and hired local Indigenous Americans at low wages. As soon as White settlers permanently moved onto Maidu lands, food became scarce, and the Indigenous Americans raided local farms for livestock. Violent skirmishes between Maidu and settlers resulted.
In 1863, soldiers forced 461 Indigenous Americans onto the Round Valley Reservation. During the two-week journey, thirty-two Maidu died. Through the twentieth century, Indigenous Americans experienced very high unemployment and poor education, housing, health, and sanitary conditions. At the same time, there was renewed interest in traditional values and increased pride in Maidu heritage. The volunteer Konkow Maidu Cultural Preservation Association, headquartered in Oroville, California, has actively sought to preserve the linguistic heritage of the nation, as well as cultural artifacts such as roundhouses since 2005. The group has sought to purchase approximately 335 acres in Butte County, California, to preserve the land from further development and to build a community center that would focus on handing down the traditions of the Maidu. Some land has been acquired, but efforts remained in effect to secure additional lands as well. In the mid-2020s, the Konkow Maidu Cultural Preservation Association continued its mission to protect and promote the culture and traditions of the Maidu people.
In the twenty-first century, three main bands of Maidu people were recognized: the Northeastern Maidu (also called Mountain Maidu or Yamani Maidu), the Northwestern Maidu (also called Konkow or Concow), and the Southern Maidu (also called Nisenan). Occasionally, a fourth band, the Valley Maidu, was also included. Within these bands, several distinct Indigenous nations of Maidu people existed, including the Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians, the Enterprise Rancheria of Maidu Indians, the Greenville Rancheria of Maidu Indians, the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, and Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians. Some had obtained recognition as sovereign Indigenous nations, while others were still seeking the designation. There were ongoing efforts to preserve the Maidu culture, language, and traditions. Several bands, including the Konkow and the Mountain bands, have successfully secured additional ancestral lands. Several Maidu communities operated casinos, provided social services to their members, and worked to develop community programs.
Bibliography
"About Us - Konkow Maidu Cultural Preservation Association." Konkow Maidu Cultural Preservation Association, www.maidu.org/about.html. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.
Alexander, Kathy. "Maidu Indians of Northern California." Legends of America, May 2023, www.legendsofamerica.com/maidu-indians. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.
"History." City of Roseville California, www.roseville.ca.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=7964922&pageId=8918755. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.
"Inhabitants Before 1820." Roseville Historical Society, www.rosevillehistorical.org/before-1820. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.
Gray-Kanatiiosh, Barbara A. The Maidu. Abdo, 2002.
Hánc'ibyjim, and William Shipley. The Maidu Indian Myths and Stories of Hánc'ibyjim. Heydey, 1991.
"History of the Maidu Indians." Feather River Tribal Health, frth.org/history-of-the-maidu. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.
"Maidu." Survey of California and Other Indian Languages. Regents of the University of California, 2015–16.
"Maidu Tribe History." Greenville Rancheria Tribal Health System, www.grth.org/history. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.
"Tribal History." Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians, www.mooretownrancheria-nsn.gov/Tribal-History/index.html. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.
"2021: ACS 5-Year Estimates American Indian and Alaska Native Detailed Tables: Maidu Alone." US Census Bureau, data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5YAIAN2021.B01003?q=maidu. Accessed 26 Oct. 2024.