Mechoopda Maidu Indians
19th century photograph of Mechoopda women and children
Total population
413 enrolled members[1]
Regions with significant populations
 California
Languages
English, Konkow
Religion
Christianity, traditional tribal religions
Related ethnic groups
other Maidu people
Mechoopda sweat house

The Mechoopda are a tribe of Maidu people, an indigenous peoples 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

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

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. Chico is the closest town.[7]

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Tribal Government." Archived 2012-10-22 at the Wayback Machine Mechoopda Maidu Indians. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park". EveryTrail. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
  4. ↑ "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.
  5. ↑ "Tribal Government." Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Ranchería. Tribal Council. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  6. ↑ Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria official website
  7. ↑ "California Indians and Their Reservations: Chico Rancheria." San Diego State University Library and Information Access. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
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