Indian Tribe History

Most of the tribes listed on this page do not have a connection to a larger tribe.  We list them here so you can find some information on their history. For a complete listing of our 700 plus tribes visit Indian History page

Tolowa. An Athapascan tribe of extreme north west California. When first known they occupied the coast from the mouth of Klamath river nearly to the Oregon line, including Smith river valley and the following village,: Echulit, Khoonkhwuttunne, and Khosatumie of the Khaamotene branch, Chesthltishtunne, Tatlatunne, Ataakut, Meetkeni, Stuntusunwhott, Targhinaatun, Thltsusmetunne, and Turghestlsatun. They were gathered on a reservation in 1862, which was established on leased land, but it was abandoned in 1868, since which time the Tolowa have shifted for themselves. They are much demoralized and greatly reduced in numbers. Their language is unintelligible to the Hupa. In culture they resemble the Hupa and the Yurok, the chief difference being in their folklore and religion. They have been greatly influenced by the sea.

Tübatulabal ('pine-nut eaters,' Merriam). A small tribe which formerly inhabited the valley of Kern river, south California above the falls extending probably to the river's source, but centering especially about the junction of the main and south forks. With the Bankalachi they constitute one of the four principal coordinate branches of the Shoshonean family.

Wappo (from Span. guapo, 'brave'). A small detached portion of the Yukian family of north California, separated from the Huchnom, the nearest Yuki division by 30 or 40 miles of Pomo territory.  They lived chiefly in the mountains separating Sonoma from Lake and Napa Counties, between Geyers and Calistoga.  A portion of them, called Rincons by Powers, occupied Russian River valley in the vicinity of Healdsburg.

Whilkut. The Hupa name of a small Athapascan division occupying the upper portion of the valley of Redwood creek, north Cal. Their language differs slightly from that of the Hupa, from whom they were separated by a mountain ridge, and they might be considered a part of that tribe except that they seem to have had no political connection with them and differed in religious practices. The routes of the pack-trains lay through their territory, and the conflicts between the whites and Whilkut were frequent and bloody. The survivors were taken to the reservation at Hupa soon after its establishment, but after 1870 they drifted back to their old homes, where 10 or 12 families are still living. Below them on Redwood creek are the Chilula.

Wiyat. The name given by the Wishosk, a small group of the coast of Northern California, to that part of their territory about the lower course of Eel river and applied by several authors to the Wishosk people dwelling in that section or to the family as a whole.  Waiyat is the Karok name for the Wishosk.

Index of Tribes or NationsFree Genealogy | Indian Genealogy | Index of Tribes or Nations