Walker River Paiute Tribe
The Walker River Paiute Tribe is a federally recognized Native American tribe located in Schurz, Nevada, in the west-central part of the state. The tribe is primarily composed of Northern Paiute people (Numa), and their ancestral lands extend across the Walker River Valley and nearby high desert regions.[1]
The Walker River Paiute Reservation was established in 1874 by executive order and encompasses approximately 325,000 acres of tribal land in Mineral County.[2] The community's hub is the town of Schurz, which houses tribal government buildings, a health clinic, and educational institutions.
The tribe operates under a tribal council form of government and provides a wide range of services to its citizens, including education, health care, natural resource management, and cultural preservation. Language revitalization efforts and traditional activities like pine nut gathering, basket weaving, and powwows remain important parts of the community’s cultural identity.[3]
Economically, the tribe is involved in small-scale agriculture, federal programs, and infrastructure development. The Walker River and nearby mountainous terrain are central to their way of life and spiritual connection to the land.
The tribe continues to advocate for sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and the rights of Indigenous peoples both locally and nationally.
References
- ↑ Walker River Paiute Tribe. About the Tribe. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://www.wrpt.org
- ↑ Bureau of Indian Affairs. Walker River Paiute Reservation Overview. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://www.bia.gov
- ↑ Nevada Indian Commission. Cultural Programs: Walker River Paiute. Retrieved May 8, 2025, from https://nevadaindiancommission.org