Miwok

Miwok refers to a group of Indigenous peoples native to Northern and Central California. Historically, Miwok communities inhabited the coast and inland valleys from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Sierra Nevada foothills, including parts of Napa, Sonoma, and surrounding regions.

Linguistically, Miwok is not a single language but a collection of related languages within the Miwokan branch of the Utian language family. Major groups include Coast Miwok, Lake Miwok, Northern Sierra Miwok, Central Sierra Miwok, and Valley Miwok. These languages are either extinct or endangered, with revitalization efforts underway in some communities.

Culture and economy of the Miwok were rooted in a hunter-gatherer-fisher pattern, with acorns serving as a staple food complemented by seasonal plant foods and game. They produced intricate basketry and used natural materials such as tule for weaving, containers, and construction. Social life featured ceremonies, seasonal gatherings, and trade with neighboring groups, reflecting a network of intertribal relationships across the region.

History and contemporary status: Contact with Spanish colonizers began in the late 18th century as missions were established, leading to dramatic population decline from disease, relocation, and disruption of traditional lifeways. In the present day, Miwok descendants live in various California communities and rancherias, with ongoing efforts to preserve and revive language and cultural practices through educational programs, cultural centers, and community initiatives.