Paiute – The Water Ute
The term "Paiute" carries a complex history, particularly within the historical records of the 19th century. Its usage was far from precise, often applied as a broad label encompassing numerous Shoshonean tribes scattered across a vast geographical expanse. This included regions of western Utah, northern Arizona, southern Idaho, eastern Oregon, Nevada, and the eastern and southern reaches of California. The most widely accepted understanding of the name "Paiute" translates to "water Ute" or "true Ute," hinting at a perceived connection or distinction within the larger Ute linguistic and cultural group.
John Wesley Powell, a prominent figure in the exploration and study of the American West, offered a more specific definition. He argued that the designation "Paiute" rightfully belonged solely to the Corn Creek tribe of southwestern Utah. However, he acknowledged that the term had been extended to encompass a wider array of tribes inhabiting southwestern Utah, the southwestern portion of Nevada, and the northwestern corner of Arizona. Powell viewed this broader application as a convenient, albeit potentially inaccurate, means of classification.
The situation becomes even more nuanced when considering the Indigenous people residing near the Walker River and Pyramid Lake reservations. These individuals, frequently identified as Paiute, were, according to Powell, distinct from the true Paiute. He proposed that they belonged to a separate tribal entity he termed the "Paviotso." Powell emphasized the linguistic differences, noting that the Paviotso spoke a language closely related to, if not identical to, that of the Bannock people, further distinguishing them from the tribes known as Paiute on the Muddy River.
Powell elaborated on this point, stating: "The names by which the tribes are known to white men and the department give no clue to the relationship of the Indians. For example, the Indians in the vicinity of the reservation on the Muddy River and the Indians on the Walker River and Pyramid Lake reservations are called Pai or Pair Utes, but the Indians know only those on the Muddy by that name, while those on the other two reservations are known as Paviotsoes, and speak a very different language, but closely allied to, if not identical with, that of the Bannock." This observation underscores the potential for misidentification and the importance of considering self-identification and linguistic affiliations when studying Indigenous groups.
The Paiute people of Walker River and Pyramid Lake maintained close ties with the Bannock, considering them their cousins and asserting that they shared a common language. These various bands, typically small and localized, lacked a unified political structure and operated without a recognized paramount chief. Among the more influential leaders were figures like Winnemucca and Natchez. Generally, these groups maintained peaceful and amicable relations with the encroaching white settlers. However, tensions occasionally flared, particularly during the early 1860s, leading to clashes with miners and emigrants. In many instances, these conflicts were instigated by the actions of the white settlers themselves.
The Northern Paiute possessed a reputation for being more inclined towards warfare compared to their southern counterparts. Many Northern Paiute warriors participated in the Bannock War of 1878, a significant conflict in the region. Due to the fact that a considerable portion of the Paiute population, including the Paviotso, did not reside on established reservations but instead lived and worked on ranches owned by white individuals, accurately determining their overall population proved challenging. Estimates placed their numbers at approximately 6,500 to 7,000 individuals.
The Paiute people, as a whole, were characterized as peaceable, moral, and industrious, earning commendation for their positive qualities. Their willingness to work diligently and efficiently made them valuable assets to white farmers, enabling them to acquire suitable clothing and a range of comforts. Simultaneously, they demonstrated a remarkable resistance to the detrimental aspects of encroaching civilization. One agent even described them as presenting the "singular anomaly" of improving through contact with white society. Another observer remarked:
"To these habits and excellence of character may be attributed the fact that they are annually increasing in numbers, and that they are strong, healthy, active people. Many of them were employed as laborers on the farms of white men in all seasons, but they were especially serviceable during the time of harvesting and haymaking."
Beyond their employment opportunities with white settlers, the Paiute people sustained themselves through various traditional means. They relied on the fish from the lakes, jackrabbits, small game found in the sage plains and mountains, and piñon nuts and other seeds, which they processed into flour for making bread. Their typical dwelling was the wikiup, a small, rounded hut constructed from tule rushes draped over a framework of poles. These structures had earth floors, a central hearth for fire, and a largely open top. Interestingly, despite appreciating the benefits of civilization, such as improved clothing and commercially available food, they showed little inclination to adopt permanent housing or acquire the furniture of civilization. Their wikiups remained sparsely furnished, typically containing only a few wicker or grass baskets crafted through their own weaving skills.
Two particularly notable figures emerged from the ranks of the Paiute: Big Bill, who assisted Mormon John D. Lee in the Mountain Meadows Massacre in southern Utah in 1857, a tragic event in the history of the American West, and Wovoka, a medicine man who originated the Ghost Dance, a spiritual movement that spread rapidly among various Native American tribes in the late 19th century.
Today, the Paiute people live on several reservations and colonies scattered throughout the western United States. These include the Fallon Indian Reservation, Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation, Summit Lake Indian Reservation, and Walker River Indian Reservations in Nevada; the Fort Hall Indian Reservation in southeastern Idaho; and the Fort Bidwell Indian Reservation in California. Numerous other smaller colonies are also spread throughout the West, representing the enduring presence of the Paiute people in their ancestral lands.