The History and Culture of the Washoe Tribe
This Trail Talk will provide an overview of the history and culture of the Washoe Tribe in the Lake Tahoe Region. The Washoe presence at Lake Tahoe dates back at least two thousand years. The Lake has been the center of the Washoe world, traditions, and creation stories. The Federal Government, tourism, and development during the last century have driven the Washoe Tribe further from the Lake and disastrously impacted Washoe ancestral lands. Presently, the Tribe works with state, private, and federal entities to blend a Washoe perspective with best scientific practices to restore the region’s ecosystems. This talk will help those who enjoy recreating in the Tahoe Basin today gain a greater understanding of what the landscape, wildlife, and people who lived here were like in the past.
