Mythologies of the Mikćapdo People
The Mechoopda regained federal recognition in 1992.
of Chico Rancheria1920 Alcott Ave.Chico, CA 95928
- Ph: (530) 899-8922
- Fax: (530) 899-8517
- Email: mit@mechoopda-nsn.gov
The ancestral village of the Mikćapdo was located on Little Butte Creek, less than 4 miles south of downtown Chico. The people of Mechoopda survived based on strategies, technologies and knowledge associated with a "hunting and gathering" economy. Today, the Mechoopda Indian Tribe is a federally recognized tribe comprised of 560 Tribal Members and governed by a Tribal Council elected by the General Membership. We welcome you to learn more about our people, history and culture. Mechoopda was a village community formerly located on Little Butte Creek, about 3 ½ miles south of today's downtown Chico. The people of Mechoopda spoke a language related to Maidu, one of the more than 175 languages and dialects once spoken in native California. Mechoopda oral tradition does not include a story of migration, but rather makes reference to the beginnings of this world at a place known as Tadoiko, a few miles south of the village. It was here that a raft carrying Kodoyampeh (Earth Maker) and Turtle first came ashore on the soft, newly created earth. A large depression was visible there for centuries until leveled for agriculture in the early 20th century.
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.[ The tribe was formerly centered in a village located about 31⁄2 miles (5.6 km) south of contemporary Chico, California. 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.
The origin story of the Mechoopda people is carried through oral tradition. It describes the beginning of their world at Tadoiko, a place located a few miles south of the original village near Chico. According to their legend, the Earth Maker (Kodoyampeh) and Turtle arrived on a raft and came ashore at that spot. It was marked by a large depression for centuries before being leveled for agriculture in the 20th century. The Mechoopda speak a language related to Maidu, which is one of the 175 dialects from this area. Led by a Headman (Hukbe) they were an autonomous community which had alliances and trade with other neighboring communities. The seasons were celebrated with four great feasts (Weda) and the dead were honored in a summer ceremony that remembered those who had passed in the previous year. The religious oral history was protected and preserved by a men’s sacred dance society (Kumeh). Along with the performance of ceremonials, the Kumeh passed on their history to new members.
The Mechoopda Indian Rancheria, represented today by the Wilson Home located at 620 Sacramento Avenue in Chico, California, is one of the last remaining buildings of the historic rancheria that was situated on General John Bidwell's ranch. The house is a wood-frame, single-story structure with a south entrance and covered front porch. The house may be one of the original wood-frame structures built by the Indians living on the Bidwell Ranch in the 1870s, or it may be one of three house types designed for the ranch by an architect commissioned by Mrs. Annie Bidwell in 1910. The Wilson Home is now a private residence and belongs to the descendants of the family. The neighborhood immediately surrounding the site is used predominantly for rentals to students who attend California State University, Chico, a short distance away.
After twenty-five years of exile, the Mechoopda became an officially federally-recognized tribe in 1992 as the result of a successful lawsuit filed against the United States in 1986 (along with three other tribes). In 1996 the tribe administered their first HUD program, purchasing 40 acres of almonds. A year later, the tribe began the task of re-establishing residency and addressing the housing needs of tribal members when it purchased 4 homes within the city of Chico. Two years later the tribe purchased an additional 26 homes. Since 1998, the Mechoopda Tribe has made several steps towards greater economic self-sufficiency and independence, developing the Chico Rancheria Housing Corporation; purchased land and constructed a tribal office complex and community building; developed the Mechoopda Economic Development Corporation. In 2003 the tribe successfully acquired 650 acres of land south of Chico. Characterized as "restored lands," it represents another step in the political, economic, and social rebuilding and restoration of the original people of the region.
Comments
Post a Comment