Nomlaki facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 332 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( California) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, Nomlaki language | |
| Religion | |
| Roundhouse religion, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Wintun people |
The Nomlaki are a group of Native Americans who originally lived in Northern California. Their homeland was in the Sacramento Valley, stretching west towards the California Coast Ranges.
Today, many Nomlaki people are part of official federally recognized tribes. These include the Round Valley Indian Tribes, the Grindstone Indian Rancheria, and the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians.
The Nomlaki people lived near other Native American groups. To their north were the Wintu. The Yana and Konkow lived to their east. The Patwin were to the south, and the Yuki lived to the west.
Nomlaki Communities and Language
The Nomlaki people were divided into two main groups based on where they lived:
- The River Nomlaki lived near the Sacramento River in the valley.
- The Hill Nomlaki lived west of the River Nomlaki. Their land is now part of Glenn and Tehama counties.
The Nomlaki spoke a language called Nomlaki. This language is part of the larger Wintuan language family. Not much of the Nomlaki language was written down. However, some recordings were made by speakers like Andrew Freeman and Sylvester Simmons.
Nomlaki Population Over Time
It is hard to know exactly how many Nomlaki people lived in California long ago. Before Europeans arrived, many Native American groups had large populations. Experts believe there were likely more than 2,000 Nomlaki people.
By the early 1900s, the number of Nomlaki people, along with related groups like the Wintu and Patwin, had greatly decreased.
Nomlaki People Today
In 1994, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians became a fully recognized tribe by the U.S. government. This meant they gained important rights and recognition.
They were able to get their own land, called the Paskenta Rancheria. On this land, they built the Rolling Hills Casino near Corning, California. Many Nomlaki people are also members of the Grindstone Indian Rancheria and the Round Valley Indian Tribes.
