Mechoopda
![]() 19th century photograph of Mechoopda women and children | |
Total population | |
---|---|
413 enrolled members[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
![]() | |
Languages | |
English, Konkow | |
Religion | |
Christianity, traditional tribal religions | |
Related ethnic groups | |
other Maidu people |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/Mechoopda_sweat_house.jpg/220px-Mechoopda_sweat_house.jpg)
The Mechoopda are a tribe of Maidu people, an Indigenous people of California. They are enrolled in the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, a federally recognized tribe. Historically, the tribe has spoken Konkow, a language related to the Maidu language, and as of 2010, has created digital learning materials from old recordings of Emma Cooper, made during the 1940s as a part of the war effort.[2]
The tribe was formerly centered in a village located about 3+1⁄2 miles (5.6 km) south of contemporary Chico, California.[3] The Tribe was terminated in 1967, losing its 26-acre Chico Rancheria. Today, approximately one-half of the old Chico Rancheria is now owned by California State University, Chico (CSUC). The 11-acre university-owned portion of the former reservation is used by CSUC's agriculture, anthropology, and archaeology students.[4]
The Mechoopda regained federal recognition in 1992.
Government
[edit]The Mechoopda Indian Tribe ratified their constitution on 1 February 1998. The tribe is governed by a seven-member council.[1] The current administration is as follows:
- Tribal Chairman: Dennis Ramirez
- Vice Chairperson: Sandra Knight:
- Treasurer: He-Lo Ramirez
- Secretary: Roberta Lewis
- Member-at-Large: Barbara Rose
- Member-at-Large: Isaiah Meders
- Member-at-Large: Jenny Atkins[5]
Reservation
[edit]The Chico Ranchería is a federal reservation located in Butte County. The population of the tribe is 560;[6] the population on the ranchería is approximately 70.[citation needed] Chico is the closest town.[7]
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b "Tribal Government." Archived 2012-10-22 at the Wayback Machine Mechoopda Maidu Indians. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- ^ Meridith J. Cooper (2010-09-30). "Preserving Mechoopda tradition – A young tribe member creates a learning program using old recordings of the native language". Chico News & Review. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ "Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park". EveryTrail. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- ^ "Conversation with Tribal Chairman Steve Santos". Inside Chico State – Volume 36 Number 3. Archived from the original on 2014-03-30. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
- ^ "Tribal Government." Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Ranchería. Tribal Council. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
- ^ Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria official website
- ^ "California Indians and Their Reservations: Chico Rancheria." San Diego State University Library and Information Access. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
External links
[edit]- Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, official website
- Mechoopda Indian Rancheria, history
- University Signs Agreement with Mechoopda Tribe