The Walker River Indian Reservation is a sovereign Native American territory located in central Nevada, serving as the home and ancestral land of the Walker River Paiute Tribe, a federally recognized tribe of Northern Paiute people. The reservation’s history, geography, and culture are inextricably linked to the Walker River and the surrounding Great Basin environment.
The People: The Walker River Paiute Tribe
The Walker River Paiute Tribe, also known as the Numu (meaning "the people"), is composed of two primary bands of Northern Paiute heritage. These bands, distinguished by their traditional food sources, reflect the intimate relationship between the people and their environment.
- Aga’idökadö (Agai Ticutta): Meaning "Cutthroat Trout Eaters," this is the larger of the two bands. Their name reflects their reliance on the abundant cutthroat trout found in the Walker River and Walker Lake.
- Pakwidökadö (Pugwi Ticutta): Meaning "Chub Carp Eaters," this smaller band traditionally subsisted on chub carp, another fish species native to the region.
A History Rooted in the Great Basin
For tens of thousands of years, the Agai-Dicutta Numu (Trout Eaters People) Band of the Northern Paiute have inhabited the Great Basin, developing a deep understanding of its resources and rhythms. Their traditional way of life was characterized by seasonal migrations and a close connection to the land.
- Seasonal Migrations: The area now encompassed by the Walker River Indian Reservation served as a vital wintering ground, offering relatively mild conditions compared to the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada. As the snows melted and spring arrived, the Numu would journey westward to the Sierras for summer camps, following the availability of resources.
- A Peaceful Existence: The Paiute people traditionally lived in relative peace, managing their own affairs without a centralized leadership structure. Formal chiefs were largely unnecessary due to the low incidence of conflict within and between bands.
- Social Structure: The Numu lived in extended matrilineal family groups, each associated with defined geographical areas. These groups would come together seasonally for food gathering, ceremonies, and social interaction.
- Traditional Lifeways: The Numu lived in small, temporary shelters and prepared their food using open fires and underground ovens. Their diet was diverse and closely tied to the local environment.
Subsistence and Sustenance: Living off the Land
The Walker River and the surrounding landscape provided the Numu with a rich array of resources that sustained them for generations. Their diet was carefully adapted to the availability of plants and animals throughout the year.
- The Importance of Fish: Trout, particularly cutthroat trout from the Walker River and Walker Lake, formed a cornerstone of the Agai-Dicutta Numu diet. The Weber Reservoir, an impoundment of the Walker River located upstream from the reservation, continues to provide a variety of fish species, including trout, bass, catfish, and crappie.
- Hunting and Gathering: The Numu supplemented their fish-based diet with a variety of game, including geese, mud hens, ducks, wild jackrabbits, prairie dogs, groundhogs, deer, antelope, and mountain sheep. They also gathered seeds from waigrass and taboosi, pine nuts, and berries such as buck berries and thorn berries (hu pwi).
- Early Agriculture: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Numu began to adopt agricultural practices. They purchased a cattle herd and cultivated crops of alfalfa, adapting to the changing landscape and economic opportunities.
Establishing the Reservation: A History of Land and Law
The establishment of the Walker River Indian Reservation was a gradual process, shaped by a series of executive orders and legislative acts that reflect the complex and often fraught relationship between the U.S. government and Native American tribes. The following list details key events in the reservation’s establishment:
- March 19, 1859: Established by Executive Order.
- February 7, 1887: General Allotment Act (24 Stat. 388). This act, also known as the Dawes Act, aimed to break up tribal lands and allot individual parcels to Native Americans, a policy that had a devastating impact on many tribes.
- May 27, 1902: (32 Stat. 245-260). Further legislation affecting the reservation’s land base.
- March 15, 1918: Executive Order #2820.
- March 3, 1928: (45 Stat. 1 60).
- June 26, 1936: Public Law 74-748 (48 Stat. 1806).
- June 19, 1972: By Authority of the Act of 22 June, 1936 (49 Stat. 1806), supplemented by the Act of 14 September, 1961 (75 Stat. 409).
Location and Landscape: The Heart of the High Desert
The Walker River Indian Reservation is strategically located along the course of the Walker River, nestled between the towns of Yerington and Walker Lake (known as Hagi in the Northern Paiute language). The reservation’s location is critical to the tribe’s history and identity.
- Geographic Distribution: The reservation spans across three counties in Nevada: Mineral County (72.68% of the land), Lyon County (14.37%), and Churchill County (12.95%).
- High Desert Environment: The reservation encompasses a high desert landscape characterized by mountains, desert lakes, and marshland/wetlands. This diverse environment supports a variety of plant and animal life and plays a crucial role in the tribe’s cultural and economic activities.
- Walker Lake: While the reservation once had a significant frontage on Walker Lake, declining water levels in recent decades have reduced the tribe’s direct access to the lake.
Land Ownership: A Mosaic of Tribal and Federal Control
The land within the Walker River Indian Reservation is divided into various categories of ownership, reflecting the historical processes of allotment and federal oversight.
- Tribal Land: The bulk of the reservation is held in trust by the federal government for the benefit of the Walker River Paiute Tribe. This includes:
- 42,880 acres in Churchill County
- 45,835 acres in Lyon County
- 224,975.34 acres in Mineral County
- Allotted Land: Some portions of the reservation were allotted to individual tribal members under the General Allotment Act. This includes:
- 1,470 acres in Lyon County
- 7,261.78 acres in Mineral County
- Government-Owned Land: The federal government also owns some land within the reservation boundaries. This includes:
- 320 acres in Lyon County
- 644.23 acres in Mineral County
Governance and Administration: Self-Determination and Federal Oversight
The Walker River Paiute Tribe operates under a constitution and bylaws approved on March 26, 1937, which were established in accordance with the Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984), as amended. This act aimed to promote tribal self-government and economic development.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): The Western Nevada Agency of the BIA, located in Carson City, Nevada, provides administrative and technical assistance to the Walker River Paiute Tribe. The agency’s phone number is (702) 887-3500.
- Jurisdiction: The reservation falls under federal jurisdiction.
The Economy: Ranching, Agriculture, and Community
The economy of the Walker River Indian Reservation is primarily based on cattle ranching and agriculture. The tribe is working to diversify its economy and create new opportunities for its members.
- Cattle Ranching: Much of the reservation’s land is used for grazing cattle.
- Agriculture: Alfalfa is the major crop grown on the reservation, utilizing irrigation water from the Weber Reservoir.
- Schurz, Nevada: The only town located on the reservation is Schurz, Nevada, which sits at the intersection of U.S. Highway 95 and 95-A, major north-south transportation routes.
Contact Information:
Walker River Paiute Tribe
P.O. Box 220
Schurz, Nevada 89427
Telephone: (702) 773-2306
Fax: (702) 773-2585