Читать книгу Lost Worlds of 1863. Relocation and Removal of American Indians in the Central Rockies and the Greater Southwest онлайн

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Politically, the Paiute subgroups and bands were led by headmen or head speakers, usually referred to by outsiders as “chiefs.” Ordinarily, the main leadership positions were chosen by consensus or election by a small group of Paiute elders, and most often the speaker was a hereditary leader. Apart from the headman, other lesser but important roles included those of shaman (who could be either male or female), rabbit boss, mediator, and spokesman or spokeswoman.

One of the more important “chiefs” of the Northern Paiutes was Captain Truckee of Pyramid Lake. He was well known to emigrant parties since Truckee often served as their guide through the Sierra Mountains to California. The emigrants even named the Truckee River after him. At one time he joined John C. Fremont in the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846. When he died in the fall of 1860 his son, Winnemucca (“Old Winnemucca,” not to be confused with his nephew Numaga, “Young Winnemucca”), followed his father’s policy of maintaining friendship and peace with the taibo or white man (see Figure 2.1). Winnemucca left Pyramid Lake in 1865 after the Mud Lake massacre, traveled to the mountains in Oregon, and never returned to Pyramid Lake. He died in 1882. His daughter, Sarah Winnemucca (Thocmetony), became an important mediator and translator for the Paiute people and championed their cause throughout her life (see Figures 2.2 and 2.3).¹⁸