Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 304[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Northern California | |
| Languages | |
| English, Konkow language | |
| Religion | |
| Kuksu religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Maidu peoples |
The Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California are a federally recognized Native American tribe based in northeastern California, south of Lassen Peak. They historically have spoken the Konkow language, also known as Northwest Maidu.[2]
They are a federally recognized Maidu tribe headquartered in Oroville[3] in Butte County.
Reservation
[edit]
Their reservation is 65 acres (260,000 m2), located in two separate geographical sites: one (39°30′09″N 121°30′16″W / 39.50250°N 121.50444°W) near Oroville in the community of Oroville East, and the other (39°37′32″N 121°19′40″W / 39.62556°N 121.32778°W) at the eastern edge of the community of Berry Creek, within a mile of the Feather River.[1]
Their historical territory was along the Feather River and in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, about 20 miles south of present-day Oroville.[2] 39°37′32″N 121°19′40″W / 39.625641°N 121.327781°W[4]
Of the tribe's 304 enrolled citizens, 136 live on the reservation.[1]
Language
[edit]The Konkow language, called Koyoomk’awi or Northwest Maidu, is a Maidu language. The anthropologist Alfred Kroeber estimated that once 9,000 people spoke Konkow. Today, a few people still speak the language.[2]
Government
[edit]The tribe is managed by an elected tribal council. They hold elections every four years. Their current tribal chairman is Francis Steele.[3]
Enrollment
[edit]The tribe has approximately 304 enrolled citizens.[1]
Education
[edit]The ranchería is served by the Pioneer Union Elementary School District and Oroville Union High School District.
Notable Berry Creek Rancheria members
[edit]- Frank Day (1902–1976), artist
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d California Indians and Their Reservations. Archived 2009-02-05 at the Wayback Machine San Diego State University Library and Information Access. 2009 (retrieved 24 Feb 2009)
- ^ a b c "Konkow". California Language Archive. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California". Tribal Leaders Directory. US Dept. of the Interior, Indian Affairs. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Berry Creek Rancheria
External links
[edit]- Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians of California, official website
Municipalities and communities of Butte County, California, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities and towns |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |