Up here in the Mount Shasta territory,
there have lived several Native Americans - one of them is the Wintu tribe. The Wintu people and their ancestors have lived in this area for thousands of years. This is homeland of the Wintu tribe.
I know a little something about these people, as my mother-in-law was part Wintu. She was born and raised in this area, and she used to talk to me about them from time to time, which I found interesting. She was also Scottish, Irish, and Welch, but part Wintu as well.
In history, the Wintu are described as a peaceful people.
There were 34,000 Wintu living in the homeland, but by 1910 there were only 710 people left.
California map showing Wintu homeland in the shaded black.
Two significant foods that the Wintu ate were acorns and fish, mainly salmon. The acorns were ground into flour and then made into soups and breads.
They were known for weaving baskets. Here is a Wintu basket in the 1890's.
Wintu arrow
Native American Wintu tribe Bone Abalone Necklace.
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Most of you know what a dream catcher is. This is a gift I received recently. I love the yellow and orange beads, they look Springy.
I hope to share sometime a little of my own Native American heritage, the fierce Apache.
I have had this bracelet since I was in my 20's. I've never given it away, I think because it has my initials engraved in the leather. It looks a bit Native American, don't you think?
I'll leave you with one of my favorite stories.
Old Story Teller: And a Man sat alone, drenched deep in sadness. And all the animals drew near to him and said, "We do not like to see you so sad. Ask us for whatever you wish and you shall have it." The Man said, "I want to have good sight." The vulture replied, "You shall have mine." The Man said, "I want to be strong." The jaguar said, "You shall be strong like me." Then the Man said, "I long to know the secrets of the earth." The serpent replied, "I will show them to you." And so it went with all the animals. And when the Man had all the gifts that they could give, he left. Then the owl said to the other animals, "Now the Man knows much, he'll be able to do many things. Suddenly I am afraid." The deer said, "The Man has all that he needs. Now his sadness will stop." But the owl replied, "No. I saw a hole in the Man, deep like a hunger he will never fill. It is what makes him sad and what makes him want. He will go on taking and taking, until one day the World will say, 'I am no more and I have nothing left to give.'"
~Sheri
26 comments:
I LOVE this post....I too have native blood in my family. The story is so very true...we keep asking and asking until there is no more. I find it so interesting how the native people lived totally off of the land. Such a rich history for them and it is so sad that almost all has been taken away from them. They had a spirit about them that allowed them to live in ways that none of us could do. thank Sheri for this post.
That is interesting that you featured the Wintu and I mentioned them in my post as well with absolutely no collaboration. I appreciate how under our city limits sign there is another sign that says Wintu Country. It’s important that we know this beautiful area is Wintu land. The Rancheria and Winriver are very good to our town - and are always willing to come along city leaders.
The water “issues” in this part of the state are also a native issue because of the salmon. There’s a lot more to our water conservation than just filling up reservoirs. Up north, several dams have been taken down due to hurting the salmon population which in part, hurts the Wintu. It’s complicated. I loved reading about our local history and culture. Thanks Sheri.
Hi Sheri, this was a very powerful post Sheri, I do like the story you shared at the end of your post.
We have Native tribe lands not far from where I live in Wisconsin. My grandpa was friends with a native man, he lived on a hill, that all the locals called Indian Hill. My grandparents home started on fire one day, and their baby girl was in the house. The native American could see the fire from the hill, he came running to help my grandparents save the baby and fight the fire.
The hill is still called Indian Hill by all the locals.
Carla
Oh my gosh, this story is so sad, disturbing, and TRUE for so many!! It is written so beautifully; I just love it. Acorn flour! This is a new one to me! The necklace, basket, and even the arrow are beautiful! as is your bracelet. I look forward to knowing about the Apache. What we did to the Native Americans was terrible!! We say that God is with our country, yet all we do is conquer for ourselves.
P.S. Love your cute little rabbit beside the roses!
Me gusta especialemente, el paisaje de la primera fotografía.
Dollar General does indeed have such cute miniature things! In fact, I just got back from there, where I got a tiny glass jar with a cork top.
The little jar, I thought I would fill it with a few tiny Easter eggs as part of a tray arrangement.
This is such a wonderful post, Sheri. Very interesting, knowing more about your heritage and about the local Wintu tribe. The pieces that you showed here are just beautiful. I especially love that basket. And also the Apache quote about walking. What an interesting area to live in.
I love this post for a lot of reasons. I love history and I love to learn about the past. We did not do our Indians right for sure. I have never heard of the Wintu Tribe. Apache yes. Eating off the land. Weaving and making baskets. And yes your bracelet looks authentic. I love dream catchers. Are there any Wintu left?
Love your hummingbird too.
Sandie
What a great post Sheri. I have never heard of the Wintu tribe, but I will think of you if I come across a reference now. Thank you for showing the map too; I love geography and maps, and where people and things are. The artefacts are all beautiful, such workmanship, and I love the old photo too. The Apache are very famous, and I would love to hear more about them too. Your bracelet does look a bit Native American, and is beautiful. What a beautiful traditional story too. Thank you for sharing.
A profound story, thank you for writing it down.
I've now read up on the Wintu. I hope that many more Wintu people will keep their own language alive.
xoxox
A truly wonderful post Sheri. I have always been very interested in the first peoples, and read many of their legends and other stories. That last one is very profound and I shake my head.
I enjoyed my visit here this evening. I do think your bracelet looks like it could ben Indian. Thanks for sharing!
I love your history!! Such beauty!
My grandfather was Cherokee... I know how you feel...
Happy weekend!
hugs
Donna
This is beautiful
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
What a fascinating and heartfelt post, Sheri! I enjoyed learning about the Wintu people and their deep connection to their homeland. It's touching that your mother-in-law shared her heritage with you, and I love the personal connections you’ve woven throughout this post—especially your treasured bracelet. The old story you shared at the end is both beautiful and haunting, a poignant reflection on humanity’s endless longing. Thank you for sharing this! 🌹
Wow! That's so amaizing!
Bjxxx,
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Love that tree. Cool... There is no Native Americans in my blood but I find their stories so interesting. Very strong and talented people. My son works a casino in southern Calif and my understanding is most casinos in Calif are owned by Native Americans. Love the site of that snow covered mountain.
What a lovely reflection on the Wintu tribe and Native American heritage! The story at the end is thought-provoking and really captures the human experience. Thank you for sharing!
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Great blog
Please read my post
Sheri what a wonderful story and such an inspiring post. The Wintu as well as all the native Americans have such a wonderful reverence for God's creation. Hope you will share about your Apache ancestors. Hugs!
That story and the last photo.. wow.
I hadn't heard of the Wantu so thanks for sharing. This was a beautiful post.
This post is lovely, Sheri. I have never heard of the Wintu tribe and it is sad that there are so few now. I have deep reverence for our native peoples and also a deep sadness for how they have been and continue to be treated. It's wonderful that you have native ancestry. When my children were young we studied the Trail of Tears and read 'The Education of Little Tree' together and could hardly get through them without crying. My son read it to his son recently. My father always told me that my great, great grandmother was from the Nippenicket tribe. My father grew up by Nippenicket lake in New England, so I have no reason not to believe him. We have many native tribes here in Washington State and our own beautiful Seattle was named after Chief Seattle. Our native people shared so much wisdom with the world and they deserve respect and recognition.
Very interesting story and fascinating post, Sheri. I didn't know your mother-in-law was partly Native American. That was a lovely post. Hugs, Susan
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