Mechoopda

Mechoopda Maidu Indians
	19th century photograph of Mechoopda women and children
Total population
	413 enrolled members[1]
Regions with significant populations
	California
Languages
	English, Konkow
Religion
	Christianity, traditional tribal religions
Related ethnic groups
	other Maidu people

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.[2]

Mechoopda sweat house

The tribe was formerly centered in a village located about 3 ¹⁄₂ miles (5.6 km) south of contemporary Chico, California.[3] 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.[4]

The Mechoopda regained federal recognition in 1992.

Government

The Mechoopda Indian Tribe ratified their constitution on 1 February 1998. The tribe is governed by a seven-member council.[1] The current administration is as follows:

Tribal Chairman: Dennis Ramirez
Vice Chairperson: Sandra Knight:
Treasurer: Robyn Forristel
Secretary: Roberta Lewis
Member-at-Large: Paulita Hopper
Member-at-Large: Cassy Wilson
Member-at-Large: Kyle McHenry[5]

Reservation

The Chico Ranchería is a federal reservation located in Butte County. The population on the ranchería is approximately 70. Chico is the closest town.[6]

Notes

"Tribal Government." Archived 2012-10-22 at the Wayback Machine Mechoopda Maidu Indians. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
Meridith J. Cooper (2010-09-30). "Preserving Mechoopda tradition – A young tribe member creates a learning program using old recordings of the native language". Chico News & Review. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
"Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park". EveryTrail. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
"Conversation with Tribal Chairman Steve Santos". Inside Chico State – Volume 36 Number 3. Archived from the original on 2014-03-30. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
"Tribal Government." Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Ranchería. Tribal Council. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
"California Indians and Their Reservations: Chico Rancheria." San Diego State University Library and Information Access. Retrieved 31 August 2012.

External links

Mechoopda Maidu Indians, official website
Mechoopda Indian Rancheria, history
University Signs Agreement with Mechoopda Tribe

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[gov1-1] "Tribal Government." Archived 2012-10-22 at the Wayback Machine Mechoopda Maidu Indians. Retrieved 31 August 2012.

[2] Meridith J. Cooper (2010-09-30). "Preserving Mechoopda tradition – A young tribe member creates a learning program using old recordings of the native language". Chico News & Review. Retrieved 2012-07-19.

[3] "Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park". EveryTrail. Retrieved 2012-07-19.

[4] "Conversation with Tribal Chairman Steve Santos". Inside Chico State – Volume 36 Number 3. Archived from the original on 2014-03-30. Retrieved 2013-05-08.

[gov2-5] "Tribal Government." Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Ranchería. Tribal Council. Retrieved 13 July 2016.

[6] "California Indians and Their Reservations: Chico Rancheria." San Diego State University Library and Information Access. Retrieved 31 August 2012.