Historically known as the Wa She Shu, the Washoe (Wašišiw) people are a Great Basin tribe of American Indians in the area of Lake Tahoe, at the California-Nevada border.
According to tradition, the Washoe people have inhabited the Great Basin and eastern Sierra Nevada mountains for as long as 9,000 years. Although they traveled a much larger area, their territory extended from the southern shores of Honey Lake in the north to the Sierra Nevada Crest in the west and the Pine Nut Mountains in the east. They also utilized the upper ranges of the Carson River, the Truckee River, and the West Walker River for seasonal activities, largely fishing, gathering edible plants, and transportation.
Historically, the Washoe people were semi-settled, although they traveled within their region seasonally for food. In the winter, they lived in villages consisting of homes known as galais dungal, which were built from locally available materials, such as logs, branches, and bark, and were circular or oval in shape, with walls that sloped gently upward, and roofs that were covered with layers of bark and other materials. Raised platforms along the walls served as sleeping areas. More temporary shelters were built to provide shelter during other seasons. These were generally made from brush, reeds, or grass and designed to be lightweight and easy to build.
The Washoe were loosely organized into four regional groups or sub-tribes, each speaking different dialects of the same language, and arranged according to where their winter camps were.
These were the Welmelti, who were the Northerners or North Washoe People; the Pauwalu (Powalu), the Easterners or Central Washoe People; the Hungalelti, the Southerners or Southern Washoe People; and the Tanalelti, who were the Westerners or Western Washoe People. As the western portion of Wahoe territory was mountainous and subject to heavy snow, few people were organized into the western group. Thus, some historians don't include the Tanalelti.
Traditionally, the Washoe were subsistence-oriented, relying heavily on hunting, fishing, and gathering edible plants. They hunted deer, antelope, and rabbits and fished the rivers and lakes in their region, employing an elaborate fish-trap system.
Their fish traps were designed to take advantage of the natural behavior of fish, particularly during migration or spawning. They built weirs across rivers and streams. Made of rocks or logs, the weirs were shaped like a funnel, narrowing toward a central point. At the narrowest point, there would be a trap area where the fish would accumulate.
Unlike other Great Basin tribes, the Washoe language (Wá:šiw ʔítlu, Wašiw Wagayay) is not Numic, but a language isolate, which reinforces the tribe's oral history of having been on the land before the other tribes. The term Wašišiw, from which "Washoe" is derived, translates to "people from here" in English.
Today, Washoe people are represented in three federally recognized tribes: the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, the Susanville Indian Rancheria, and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony.
The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California consists of several communities south and east of Lake Tahoe, united under a tribal council. The tribe owns more than 64,300 acres in public domain allotments, but unlike larger reservations, the PDAs are not connected to any tribal governments and are not subject to tribal jurisdiction, although they are Indian country.
Its communities include the Carson Colony, the Dresslerville Colony, the Stewart Colony, the Washoe Ranch, and the Woodfords Community (Hung A Lei Ti).
The Susanville Indian Rancheria is in northeastern California. Founded in 1923, the federally recognized rancheria is home to descendants of the Washoe, Achomawi, Mountain Maidu, Northern Paiute, and Atsugewi tribes.
The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in Nevada was formed in the early 1900s by members of related tribes who were living near Reno for work. Based in Reno, they became a federally recognized tribe in 1934. Originally controlling a 28-acre parcel in central-west Reno, they acquired another 1,920 acres in Hungry Valley in 1984, and the Obama Administration transferred 13,400 acres of former BLM land to the Colony just before leaving office in 2016. The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony is home to descendants of the Paiute, the Shoshone, and the Washoe peoples.
There is evidence that some Washoe settled in southwestern Montana, but there are no organized tribes or bands of Washoe people in the state, as far as I am aware. There is a settlement by the name of Washoe in Carbon County, Montana. Situated at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains, the village once had a population of approximately 3,000, but it is classified as a ghost town today. The Washoe post office closed in 1959.
This portion of our guide focuses on the Washoe people.
Recommended Resources
Serving Susanville and Lassen County, the Health Center provides medical services and dental treatment to all community members, including infants, children, teens, adults, and elders. The Center accepts most kinds of health insurance, including Medi-Cal, Medicare, covered California from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and patients with private PPO coverage. Its location, programs, services, appointment and payment policies, events, and contact information.
https://www.lihc.org/
The Numu, the Newe, and the Washeshu inhabited the Great Basin before European colonization. Although each group spoke a different language, they respected the lifestyles of the other immediate groups and came together as a cohesive group in the early 1900s, becoming a federally recognized tribe in 1934. The Colony's history, tribal government, constitution, bylaws, businesses, health services, emergency services, and events are featured. Public notices and job openings are featured.
https://www.rsic.org/
Southern Band of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California
The Southern Band of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, also known as the Woodfords Community (Hung A Lei Ti), is the tribe's only community in California. Located near Markleeville, it includes the Woodfords Indian Education Center and Community Center. Its mission, methods, and advocacy projects are reported, along with volunteer opportunities, monthly meeting schedules, and news. Its address, a map, office hours, and contacts are included.
https://www.woodfordscommunitycouncil.org/
Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum
Operated from 1890 to 1980, the Stewart Indian School was an American Indian boarding school southeast of Carson City, Nevada. It has also been known as Stewart Institute, Carson Industrial School, and Carson Indian School. Its 110-acre campus still holds 65 original buildings. Acquired by the Stewart Community of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, it now serves as a cultural center and museum, overseen by the Stewart Cultural Advisory Committee.
https://stewartindianschool.com/
Federally recognized in 1934, the anthropological tribes associated with the Susanville Indian Rancheria are the Maidu, Paiute, Pit River, and Washoe. Its governing body is the General Council, which is composed of all tribal members who are at least eighteen years old. However, day-to-day operations are relegated to an elected Tribal Business Council, who are introduced here, along with administrative contacts, departments, and member programs and services.
https://www.sir-nsn.gov/
Susanville Indian Rancheria Corporation
SIRCO was formed by the Susanville Indian Rancheria in 2009 as a tribally chartered corporation, although it was converted to a federally chartered corporation in 2010. Its board members and staff are introduced, and its tribal enterprises are highlighted. Other resources include information about SIRCO partnerships, employment opportunities, vacancy announcements, and applications. Its office address, a map, telephone and fax numbers, and an online contact form are provided.
https://www.sircorporation.com/
Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California
The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, headquartered in Gardnerville, Nevada, consists of several communities south and east of Lake Tahoe united under a tribal council. The history of the Washoe people is presented, and a packet on Washoe history created by the Tribal Historic Preservation Office may be downloaded. The tribal government, departments, communities, and a calendar of events, along with announcements, and contacts, are posted on the site.
https://washoetribe.us/
