Introduction
The Southern Paiute were nomadic hunter and gatherers whose traditional territory spanned southern Utah, southern Nevada, and western California. This area was once home to sixteen Southern Paiute bands. Those bands located in the northeasternmost portion of this territory were in frequent contact with Plains Indian groups and adopted many of their practices and beliefs, whereas those located in the southwesternmost area adopted many of the characteristics of the River Yuman cultures. (As discussed in Module 8, one of these bands—the Chemehuevi—relocated into River Yuman territory in historic times). The Southern Paiute speak Southern Numic, a branch of the Uto-Aztecan language. This language is closely related to that spoken by the northern Great Basin tribes (such as the Shoshone) and the Ute Plains Indians. The Southern Paiute's name for themselves in Nuwuvi, which means "the People." The map (below) shows the Southern Paiute past territories and modern reservations.
Instructions: Using the slide button on the lower right hand corner, toggle between Southern Paiute Past Territories and Southern Paiute Modern Reservations pages. You can also click on the tabs on the top of the map to learn more. The selected page is highlighted in blue.
Required Reading
• Griffin-Pierce Chapter 9
• Video on the Mountain Meadows Massacre
If you are having trouble viewing the video, click on this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8kcqpTkj6k
Major Concepts and Terms
• Nuwuvi
• Coyote
• Burden baskets
• Seed beaters
• Puha
• Water babies
• Round Dance
• Ghost Dance
• Wovoka
• Cry Ceremony
• Bear Dance
• Mountain Meadows Massacre
• Lamanite
• termination
Click on next page to continue.