Wiyot Tribe facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 600 enrolled members | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( California) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, formerly Wiyot | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Wiyot people, Yurok people |
The Wiyot Tribe is an officially recognized group of Wiyot people in California. They are the original people of the Humboldt Bay area, including the Mad River and the lower Eel River.
Other Wiyot people are part of different recognized groups called Rancherias. These include the Blue Lake Rancheria, Rohnerville Rancheria, and Trinidad Rancherias.
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Where the Wiyot Tribe Lives
The Wiyot Tribe has two main areas of land called Reservations. The Table Bluff Reservation and the Old Table Bluff Reservation are about 16 miles southwest of Eureka, California.
Table Bluff Reservation Details
The newer Table Bluff Reservation covers 88 acres. The Old Table Bluff Reservation started in 1908. A church donated 20 acres of land to the Wiyot Tribe at that time. This land was then given to individual tribal members.
The government officially recognized the Reservation in 1981. At that time, 102 more acres were bought for the tribe. The Reservation is on Table Bluff in Humboldt County, California. It is about 236 feet (72 meters) above sea level. In 2010, about 103 people lived there.
Wiyot Language Today
Most members of the Wiyot Tribe speak English. The original Wiyot language is part of the Algic language family. It is written using the Latin script, which is the same alphabet English uses.
Sadly, the last person who spoke Wiyot fluently passed away in 1962. However, a dictionary and grammar book have been created for the language. This helps people learn and remember Wiyot words.
A Brief History of the Wiyot People
Before Europeans arrived, about 2,000 Wiyot people lived in the area. They first met Europeans in 1802. Many non-native settlers came to Wiyot lands during the California Gold Rush, which began in 1849. Some Wiyot people were killed during the Rogue River Indian War in 1852.
The Indian Island Massacre
On February 26, 1860, a terrible event happened. Wiyot people were celebrating an important ceremony on what is now Indian Island. While the young men were away collecting supplies, a group of European-American men attacked the village. They used silent weapons to avoid being heard by the nearby city of Eureka.
The attackers killed many Wiyot elders, women, and children. Only one baby survived by being hidden. Two other Wiyot villages were also attacked that same night. After these attacks, it is estimated that only about 200 Wiyot people remained.
