History & Culture

Washsheshu-itdeh (land of the people)

“Our Tribal elders tell us that we have been here since the beginning of time and occupied our
lands from the beginning, and we are still here in our lands”.

The Washoe are an ancient people with ties to the California and Great Basin cultures. Our language dialect is Hokan, distinctive to the Washoe. Traditionally the tribe is comprised of three geographic bands of Washoe; the Welmelti—northern band, the Hungalelti—southern band, the Pauwalu—valley people.  We lived in a rich environment and broad landscape from well-watered mountain forests and alpine meadows to Pinion-juniper woodlands with Lake Tahoe as the center of Washo culture; the Washoe and the land are inseparable.

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