The Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California represents a resilient community of Maidu people, federally recognized for their distinct heritage and sovereign status. This article delves into the history, culture, and contemporary life of the Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California, drawing upon available information to paint a comprehensive picture of this important California tribe.
Acknowledging the Tyme Maidu
The Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California, sometimes referred to as the Tyme Maidu Tribe, embodies a specific band within the broader Maidu cultural and linguistic group. The Maidu people, whose name translates to "person," traditionally inhabited a vast territory encompassing the eastern tributaries of the Sacramento River and extending south from Lassen Peak. Their historical lands once stretched even further east, reaching into present-day Nevada, before being relinquished to the Paiutes around 1700.
The Maidu were historically divided into three primary groups: the Valley Maidu (Nisenan), the Foothill Maidu (Konkow), and the Mountain Maidu. Each group adapted to its respective environment, developing unique cultural practices and dialects within the broader Maiduan language family. The Valley Maidu, or Nisenan, were recognized for their prosperity and advanced cultural development.
Official Recognition and Governance
The Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California is a federally recognized tribe, a designation that acknowledges their sovereign rights and establishes a government-to-government relationship with the United States. This recognition allows the tribe to access federal programs and services designed to support Native American communities.
The Rancheria’s administrative offices are located at 5 Tyme Way, Oroville, CA 95966. Contact can be made by phone at 530-534-3859 or by fax at 530-534-1151. While a website, http://berrycreekrancheria.com/, was listed in the past, its current operational status is unknown.
Traditional Names and Their Significance
The name "Maidu" is derived from the people’s self-designation, meaning "person." This simple yet profound name reflects the Maidu’s inherent sense of identity and belonging. The term "Konkow" originates from the Anglicization of their word for "meadowland," highlighting their connection to the fertile landscapes they traditionally inhabited. Similarly, "Nisenan" stems from their self-designation, translating to "among us" or "village," emphasizing their strong sense of community and place.
Ancestral Lands and Territory
The Maidu’s traditional territory encompassed a significant portion of Northern California, including the eastern tributaries of the Sacramento River south of Lassen Peak. Before 1700, their reach extended east of Honey Lake into Nevada. This vast territory provided them with diverse resources, shaping their subsistence strategies and cultural practices.
While some Maidu groups signed a treaty with the U.S. government in 1851, it was never ratified. This failure to formally recognize their land rights led to significant injustices and displacement. In 1971, individual Maidu people received a land claims settlement payment of approximately $660, a meager compensation for the loss of their ancestral homelands.
The Berry Creek Rancheria: A Land Base
The Berry Creek Rancheria consists of 65 acres (260,000 m2) of land, geographically divided into two sites. One site is located near Oroville, California, in the community of Oroville East, while the other is situated at the eastern edge of Berry Creek, within a mile of the Feather River. This land base serves as a vital center for the tribal community, providing a place for housing, cultural activities, and economic development.
Historically, the Konkow Reservation, known as Nome Lackee, was established in 1854. However, in 1863, its residents were forcibly removed and marched to the Round Valley Reservation, a devastating event that disrupted their lives and cultural continuity. The Nisenan, facing similar pressures, found refuge near foothill towns, working in low-paying industries.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Maidu children were often subjected to assimilationist boarding schools, designed to eradicate their language and culture. Despite these challenges, the Maidu people demonstrated remarkable resilience, experiencing a brief cultural revival in the 1870s under the influence of the Ghost Dance.
Population and Enrollment
In the late 18th century, the Maidu population was estimated at around 9,000. Today, the Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California has 304 enrolled members. Tribal enrollment requirements are specific to the tribe and define the criteria for membership.
Language and Cultural Preservation
The Maiduan language family, classified within the broader Penutian language stock, consists of three primary divisions: Northeastern or Mountain Maidu, Northwestern or Foothill Konkow, and Southern or Valley Nisenan. These divisions were likely mutually unintelligible, highlighting the linguistic diversity within the Maidu people.
Currently, the Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California has two identified Maidu language speakers. This underscores the critical need for language revitalization efforts to preserve this invaluable aspect of Maidu heritage.
Traditional Life and Culture
The Maidu traditionally lived in small village groups, with a central village serving as the hub for social and ceremonial activities. Dwellings varied depending on the environment. Hill dwellings consisted of pole-framed structures covered with brush or skins in winter and simple brush shelters in summer. Valley people constructed earth-covered, domed pit houses for winter and brush shelters for summer.
Subsistence relied heavily on hunting and gathering, with acorns serving as a staple food source. The Maidu also consumed pine nuts, manzanita, roots, and insects. Hunting provided deer, elk, antelope, and bear. Fishing yielded eel, salmon, and trout.
Arts, Crafts, and Music
Maidu artistic expression manifested in various forms, including intricate baskets, necklaces, shell and bone earrings, and elaborate bead and feather work. Petroglyphs, dating back as early as 1000 B.C.E., depict circles, dots, and occasional human or animal figures.
Music played a vital role in Maidu culture. The Maidu utilized a unique foot-drum (ki’le) made from a large sycamore log, which was played by stamping feet or pounding with heavy sticks. Other instruments included rattles (W U S ~ O ‘ S ~ O), split-stick clappers (puk’pupu), and a musical bow (mawuwi), considered the only stringed instrument of California. Flutes and whistles, often made from bone, were also used in ceremonies and social gatherings.
Challenges and Resilience
The Maidu people have faced numerous challenges throughout their history, including disease, displacement, and cultural suppression. The gold rush of 1849 led to the theft of their land, disruption of their food supply, and widespread violence. Despite these hardships, the Maidu have persevered, maintaining their cultural identity and fighting for their rights.
Modern Day
Today, the Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California continues to work towards self-determination and cultural preservation. The tribe is actively involved in economic development, education, and healthcare initiatives. The Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California is a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of the Maidu people.