Once known as the Mariposas, the Yokuts people have a rich history in Central California.
Their ancestral lands encompassed a stretch along the San Joaquin Valley, extending from the mouth of the San Joaquin River to the base of the Tehachapi Mountains. These lands also included the lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, reaching an elevation of a few thousand feet, all the way from the Fresno River southward. In the northern regions, the Yokuts resided in the foothills of the Coast Range to the west, which notably featured the Carrizo Plain. Here, they left their mark through rock art in the Painted Rock area.
The Yokuts inhabited the region for thousands of years. Prior to contact with Europeans, the Yokuts were made up of as many as sixty tribes, each speaking related languages. The Yokutsan languages are part of the Penutian family of languages.
The individual tribes of Yokuts people could be grouped geographically as Delta Yokuts, Northern Valley Yokuts, Southern Valley Yokuts, and Foothill Yokuts.
The Delta Yokuts included the historic Apelumne, Bolbumne, Chelumne, Chucumne, Cosumne, Hunezumne, Laquisumne, Mokelumne, Tarkumne, Yachicumne, and Yalesumne, while the Northern Valley Yokuts included the Ausumne, Chauchela, Cholbumne, Chulumne, Heuche, Honoumne, Hoyumne, Hulpumne, Kahwatchwah, Miumne, Pikache, Suenumne, Tucuyu, Tuolumne, and Walakumne tribes, and the Southern Valley Yokuts included the Apiche, Choinok, Chunut, Gáwea, Halaumne, Itecha, Koyete, Nutúnutu, Tache, Talumne, Tuhoumne, Tulumne, Wéchikit, Wimilche, Wólase, Wowol, Yokodo, and Yowlumne. The Foothill Yokuts included the Bancalache, Choinumne, Chukchanse, Chukimena, Dalinche, Dumna, Éntimbits, Gashou, Hoeynche, Kechaye, Kumachese, Michahi, Páhdwishe, Paleumne, Tolteche, Wukchumne, Wuksache, and Yáudanche tribes.
The term Yokuts is both singular and plural. In most cases, the use of Yokut would be erroneous, except that the Tachi Yokut Tribe of Lemoore uses that form.
The creation story of the Yokuts involves an eagle, a crow, and a duck, resulting in the emergence of land from the water, after which the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Coast Mountain Range became their home.
Gender roles among the Yokuts were distinct. The men hunted, fished, and constructed homes and tools, while the women gathered edible foods, maintained the homes, and cared for the children. Divorce was straightforward, and could occur for several reasons, including affairs, laziness, or infertility.
Artistic expression among the Yokuts included music, singing, painting, and intricate basket weaving, the latter of which served both utilitarian and artistic purposes. The crow and the eagle are symbolic figures from the Yokuts' creation story that continue to play a role in religious ceremonies and artistic expression.
Characteristically, the Yokuts lived in mat-covered communal homes, often inhabited by ten related families or more. They were known as tule lodges because they were built of mats made from tule grass, a versatile material that was also used in making baskets, mats, and boats. Tule lodges might be pictured as long tents made of woven tule grass, held in place by ridge poles held in place by upright poles with V-shaped forks. The Tuhoumne, Halaumne, Tulumne, Yowlumne, and Paleumne made the most extensive use of tule grass because it grew prolifically in their areas.
The Yokuts first encountered Europeans in the early 1770s when Spanish troops came into their territory. Spanish Catholic missions were introduced in the 19th century, and, as they expanded, the Yokuts were forced to farm for the benefit of the Spanish, often under harsh conditions.
Malaria was introduced by the British in 1833, spreading rapidly through the indigenous population due to their use of sweat houses for healing. By the time that gold was discovered in the 1850s, the Yokuts were already greatly weakened. The gold rush left them without land and a significant decrease in their population.
In 1854, the Yokuts were forced onto the Fort Tejon Reservation, where they were attacked by white vigilantes who killed most of the inhabitants a few years later. The Fort Tejon Reservation was abandoned in 1859, and the Tule Reservation was established in 1873, taking in several remaining Yokuts people.
Between 1850 and 1900, California State Militia and white settlers reduced the Yokuts population by more than 90%.
Recognized contemporary tribes include Santa Rosa Rancheria, Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, Table Mountain Rancheria, Tejon Indian Tribe of California, Tule River Indian Tribe, and Tuolumne Rancheria. The Wukchumni and Choinumni communities do not yet have federal recognition.
The focus of this category is on the Yokuts people.
Recommended Resources
The Picayune Rancheria of Chuksansi Indians of California is a federally recognized tribe affiliated with the Foothills Yokuts. Founded in 1912, the Rancheria covers 160 acres, including the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino and other businesses. The website publishes its tribal council, boards, committees, and administrative contacts, along with information about economic development activities, career opportunities, RFP notices, and a private area for enrolled members.
https://chukchansi-nsn.gov/
Table Mountain Casino & Resort
Operated by the Table Mountain Rancheria, a federally recognized tribe of American Indians from the Chukchansi band of Yokuts and the Monache tribe, the casino and resort are featured. Offering slots and table games, the casino's promotional offers and rewards program are highlighted. The hotel includes 171 rooms, a fitness center available for guests staying at the hotel, and event and conference areas. On-site dining facilities, golf, and entertainment are included.
https://tmcasino.com/
Established in 1934 on about forty acres, the Santa Rosa Rancheria belongs to the federally recognized Tachi Yokuts tribe. It has since expanded to 1,806 acres, including the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino. The history and current status of the tribe are discussed here, along with historical documents, future plans, and tribal enterprises. Its governmental structure, administrative and departmental contacts, membership policies, member programs, services, and employment opportunities are featured.
https://www.tachi-yokut-nsn.gov/
The Tejon Indian Tribe, headquartered in Bakersfield, California, is a federally recognized tribe of Kitanemuk, Yokuts, Paiute, and Chumash people. Established in 1853, the Sebastian Indian Reservation included Rancho El Tejon lands that became part of the Tejon Ranch. Originally 763,000 acres, its size was later reduced to 25,000 acres. In 1863, it was purchased for private use. The tribe acquired 320 acres of land in Mettler. Its history, goals, projects, and documents are featured.
https://www.tejonindiantribe.com/
The Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reservation is a federally recognized tribe of American Indians made up of Yokuts, including Yowlumne and Wukchumnis, as well as Western Mono and Tübatulabal. The Tule River Farm became the Tule River Reservation in 1864 and was relocated in 1873. Its history, council, justice center, and departments are highlighted, along with information about its economic development projects, contacts, and a private log in for enrolled members.
https://tulerivertribe-nsn.gov/
Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, The
The federally recognized tribe, headquartered in Tuolumne, California, is affiliated with both the Sierra Miwok and the Northern Valley Yokuts people. The Tuolumne Rancheria is more than 792 acres and is located at the western base of the Sierra Nevada. In addition to its reservation land, the tribe owns an additional 1,510 acres of private land and operates several businesses in Tuolumne County. Its government, community events, economic development, and educational resources are noted.
https://mewuk.com/
The Wukchumni are a Tokuts tribe, some of which reside on the Tule River Reservation, although the majority of Wukchumni descendants are not yet federally recognized. About three thousand years ago, the Wukchumni broke off from the main Yokuts group to settle in the region of the East Fork of the Kaweah River. Currently, the Wukchumni Tribe is incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing and maintaining the traditions of the Wukchumni Yokuts.
https://www.wukchumnitribe.org/
