The Alturas Indian Rancheria stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Achumawi people, also known as the Pit River Indians. This federally recognized tribe maintains a presence in northeastern California, specifically in Modoc County, near the town of Alturas. Their history is interwoven with the rugged landscape of the Pit River Valley, a land marked by both natural beauty and challenging conditions.
A Glimpse into the Past: The Achumawi and Their Land
The name "Achumawi" itself is derived from ajúmmááwí, the name of the Fall River band, signifying "river" in their native tongue. This connection to the river is fundamental to understanding the Achumawi identity. The Pit River, named for the Achumawi’s ingenious method of trapping deer in camouflaged pits, served as the lifeblood of their traditional territory.
This territory encompassed the Pit River and its tributaries, a region characterized by diverse landscapes. While some areas were fertile valleys, much of the land was high mountain country, interspersed with forests of fir and pine. The volcanic activity of Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen left their mark, creating vast lava fields where vegetation struggled to take hold. Large swampy areas also dotted the landscape, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the Achumawi.
Historically, the Achumawi were organized into small clusters of villages known as tribelets. These tribelets were united by their shared language and a single headman, chosen by the people. Nine distinct tribelets existed within Achumawi territory, each contributing to the larger cultural tapestry of the Pit River people.
The Modern Alturas Indian Rancheria: Land, Governance, and Population
Today, the Alturas Indian Rancheria controls a 20-acre reservation located near Alturas, California. This land serves as the heart of their modern community and a base for their tribal operations. The tribal headquarters are also situated in Alturas, reflecting their commitment to maintaining a presence in their ancestral homeland. The Rancheria operates within the Pacific Time Zone and falls under the jurisdiction of the Northern California Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (B.I.A.).
While the land base is relatively small, the Alturas Indian Rancheria strives to preserve its cultural heritage and provide for its members. The tribe’s enrollment is estimated at around 15 individuals as of 2010, reflecting the significant population decline experienced by many Native American tribes due to historical factors.
The tribe operates under a formal governmental structure. While specific details regarding the charter, governing body, council members, constitutional amendments, and executive officers are not readily available, the existence of a federally recognized tribal government indicates a commitment to self-determination and the management of tribal affairs.
Language and Cultural Preservation
The Achumawi language, also known as Achomawi or the Pit River language, is a vital part of the tribe’s cultural identity. Classified within the Hokan language family, specifically the Palaihnihan branch, the Achumawi language shares similarities with the Atsugewi language spoken to the south. A distinctive feature of Achumawi is the tonal quality of each syllable, adding a unique dimension to its sound and structure.
Historically, there were dialectal variations among the nine Achumawi bands, primarily between those residing upriver and downriver, divided by the Big Valley mountains east of the Fall River Valley. However, the Achumawi language faces a severe threat of extinction. As of 1991, it was estimated that only about ten speakers remained out of a population of approximately 1500 Achumawi people. By 2000, that number had dwindled to eight, with half of those individuals possessing limited English proficiency.
Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to revitalize and preserve the Achumawi language. These initiatives may include language classes, documentation projects, and the development of educational materials to ensure that future generations can connect with their linguistic heritage.
Traditional Lifeways: Adapting to the Pit River Environment
The Achumawi developed a sophisticated understanding of their environment and adapted their lifeways to the resources available in the Pit River Valley. Their traditional diet consisted of a diverse range of foods, reflecting the varied landscape they inhabited. While acorns, deer meat, and salmon were staples for many northern California tribes, the Achumawi relied on a wider array of resources due to the relative scarcity of these primary foods in their territory.
The swampy areas provided waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and swans, along with their eggs. Other birds, including cranes, mud hens, pelicans, sage hens, crows, hawks, magpies, and eagles, were also part of their diet. While salmon were abundant only in the lower Pit River, other fish like bass, catfish, lamprey, pike, trout, crawfish, and mussels were caught in the rivers, streams, and lakes.
In addition to fish and fowl, the Achumawi hunted a variety of animals, including deer, elk, antelope, jackrabbits, badgers, bears, beavers, coyotes, and marmots. They also gathered roots, bulbs, and seeds from the grasslands, such as camas bulbs, wild onions, sunflower seeds, and mustard seeds. They utilized saltbush as a substitute for salt and consumed clover, young thistle plants, berries, and nuts. Even angleworms and the larvae of wasps, ants, bees, hornets, crickets, grasshoppers, and caterpillars were incorporated into their diet.
The Achumawi employed various techniques for catching fish, including dip nets, gill nets, seine nets, and basket traps. They used fibers from dogbane, milkweed, and tule reeds to create the string for their nets. Tules were also used to make mats for sleeping and summer shelters. Simple dugout canoes made from pine or cedar logs were sometimes used on the rivers and lakes, while bundles of tule reeds were tied together to make rafts for crossing streams and lakes.
Hunting bows were crafted from yew wood, mahogany, or juniper, backed with sinew. Arrows were tipped with obsidian (volcanic glass) from Lassen Peak and sometimes poisoned with rattlesnake venom. Spear points and knives were also shaped from obsidian, which was plentiful in the area. The Achumawi decorated their bows and arrows with paints made from colored minerals found in their region.
Baskets were woven using the twining method, employing young willow shoots and plant fibers. These baskets were decorated with ferns, pieces of roots, and redbud bark. They served a variety of purposes, including carrying and storing food, cradling babies, and as hats for women.
Clamshell beads, acquired through trade from groups to the south, were likely used as a form of currency. However, wealth was not as highly valued among the Achumawi as it was in some other Native American cultures. Their leaders were chosen for their ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the headman, rather than their personal wealth.
Clothing, Adornment, and Housing
Achumawi clothing was adapted to the climate and available materials. Men typically wore a short apron-like skirt and a shirt made from animal skin with a hole cut in the middle and the sides sewn together below the armholes. They sometimes wore leggings made from deerskin and moccasins made from deerskin or woven from tule reeds and stuffed with grass. Elk, antelope, badger, bear, beaver, and coyote skins were also used for clothing. When animal skins were scarce, shredded cedar bark was attached to a belt to create a skirt.
Women wore a shirt similar to the men’s and a separate skirt made by wrapping a piece of deerskin around them. They sometimes wore a fringed apron-type skirt and a basket-like cap on their heads. Clothing was occasionally decorated with porcupine quills.
Tattooing was practiced on women’s faces, typically with three thin lines on the chin and a few lines on the cheek. Men had their noses pierced to wear shell or bone ornaments.
Winter houses were partially underground, typically about 15 feet square. A center pole with crossbeams supported a frame covered with grass, tule reeds, bark, and a layer of earth. The main entrance was through the smoke hole in the roof, accessed by a ladder made from two poles with crossbars. Larger houses accommodated two or three families, while single families had simpler bark-covered shelters built over shallow holes in the ground. Fires were essential for warmth during the cold, snowy winters, fueled by sagebrush, juniper branches, and fallen pine trees.
Economy and Modern Developments
Today, the Alturas Indian Rancheria operates the Desert Rose Casino and the Rose Cafe in Alturas. This economic enterprise provides employment opportunities and revenue for the tribe, contributing to their self-sufficiency and community development.
A History of Resilience
The history of the Achumawi people, and by extension the Alturas Indian Rancheria, is marked by both cultural richness and profound hardship. The arrival of Europeans brought devastating diseases that decimated their population. During the Gold Rush, conflicts with settlers led to violence and displacement. Despite these challenges, the Achumawi people have persevered, maintaining their cultural identity and striving for self-determination.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Pit River Tribe, including members of the Alturas Indian Rancheria, participated in a national movement to reclaim ancestral lands. These efforts, including occupations of Pacific Gas and Electric property and U.S. Forest Service land, were met with resistance from authorities, leading to arrests and legal battles.
Continuing the Legacy
The Alturas Indian Rancheria stands as a symbol of resilience, cultural preservation, and self-determination. While facing challenges such as language loss and a small land base, the tribe continues to adapt and thrive in the modern world. By operating economic enterprises, preserving their cultural heritage, and advocating for their rights, the Alturas Indian Rancheria ensures that the legacy of the Achumawi people will endure for generations to come.