Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe of the Benton Paiute Reservation facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 84 (1991) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States (California) | |
| Languages | |
| English | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion, Christianity, Sun Dance, Native American Church | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Western Mono |
The Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe of the Benton Paiute Reservation, also known as the Benton Paiute Tribe, is a Native American tribe. They are officially recognized by the United States government. This tribe is part of the larger Great Basin tribe group and lives in Mono County, California.
Contents
About the Benton Paiute Reservation
The Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe has its own special land called the Benton Paiute Reservation. This reservation is in Mono County, California, about 10 miles (16 km) from the Nevada border. It is near a town called Benton, California.
The reservation covers about 400 acres (1.6 km2) of land. Around 50 tribal members live there today. The Benton Paiute Reservation was officially created on July 22, 1915. The tribe also runs a local business, the Benton Crossing Cafe, in nearby Benton. The closest big city is Bishop, which is about 40 miles (64 km) to the south.
Tribe's History
The Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe made an important decision about their future. They all voted on their own set of rules, called a constitution, on November 22, 1975. These rules were officially approved on January 20, 1976. This helped the tribe govern themselves.
Meaning of the Name
The name Utuʼutuwi·tu comes from the language of the Owens Valley Paiute people. This group is also known as Eastern Mono. Over time, the name was changed to Utu Utu Gwaiti, or Gwaitu, in English.
Learning and Education
Children living on the Benton Paiute Reservation go to schools that are part of the Eastern Sierra Unified School District. This school district helps make sure that the young people of the tribe get a good education.
