This could be a reason why you won't find the biography of Chief Tenaya, the founder of Ahwahnee in Yosemite Valley. He was the original chief of Yosemite.
Biography of Chief Tenaya of Yosemite
Chief Tenaya
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Chief Tenaya (died 1853) was a Native American chief of the Yosemite Valley people in California. Tenaya's father was the chief of the Ahwahneechee (or Awahnichi),[1] which means "people of the Ahwahnee" (Yosemite Valley). The Ahwahneechee had become a tribe distinct from the other tribes in the area. Lafayette Bunnell, the doctor of the Mariposa Battalion, wrote that "Ten-ie-ya was recognized, by the Mono tribe, as one of their number, as he was born and lived among them until his ambition made him a leader and founder of the Pai-Ute colony in Ah-wah-ne."[1]
The Ahwahneechee occupied Yosemite Valley until a sickness destroyed most of them. The few Ahwahneechee left Yosemite Valley and joined the Mono Lake Paiutes in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Tenaya's father married a Mono Paiute woman and Tenaya was born from that union. Tenaya grew up amongst his mother's people and married a Mono Paiute woman and had three children. Fifty years later a medicine man advised Tenaya that it was time to return to the beautiful Yosemite Valley because the sickness was gone. Tenaya took about 200 people back into Yosemite Valley. The Ahwahneechee were a powerful tribe feared by the surrounding Miwok tribes. The surrounding tribes called them Yosemite meaning "they are killers."[2]
By 1851, conflicts between the non-indigenous miners and the Native Americans in the Sierra started to increase. The state of California decided to send the Natives to reservations. The Mariposa Brigade was formed to carry out the relocation. Chief Tenaya agreed to move to the Fresno Reservation, instead of the destruction of his entire band. Many of his band left Yosemite Valley instead of following Tenaya. As they approached the Fresno reservation, they fled back to the Yosemite Valley. The Brigade then re-entered the Valley, captured Tenaya's sons, and killed his youngest son. Tenaya then agreed to go back to the reservation.
By the summer of 1851, Tenaya grew tired of the reservation. He gave his pledge that he would not disturb any non-indigenous people. However, in 1852, a group of prospectors were killed in the Valley. Tenaya and his band fled to join the Mono Paiutes. He returned to the Valley in 1853. He was stoned to death in a dispute with the Mono Paiutes over stolen horses. The remaining survivors who were not killed were taken back to Mono Lake and absorbed into the Mono Lake Paiute population.
Here are some other facts.
1. Owahnee was a place in Paiute legend that was destroyed and the people left. You can see that in the book "The Story of Inyo" by Chalfant.
2. At that time Paiutes and Miwoks were enemies.
2. There are reports of "Diggers" coming into Mono Lake Paiute area and then being attacked and killed for trespassing. So if Tenaya's father was a Miwok he, and the few remaining Ahwahnees would have been killed if they were not a Paiute or Mono band.
4. It was the Miwoks who helped capture Chief Tenaya and his band the second time causing the death of Tenaya's son. The Miwoks were the ones who assisted the Mariposa Battalion find Tenaya and his people and blocked their escape.
5. Today that Miwok chief and army scout who captured Chief Tenaya and his people is honored in the Yosemite Indian Village behind the Indian Museum. His name was Kau'tcitti or Cow'chitty (Captain Lewis). Not one mention of Chief Tenaya at the Yosemite Indian Village.
6. Dr. Lafayette H. Bunnell wrote that Chief Tenaya and his people spoke Paiute and Mono. Which are similar languages. Miwok is not.
7. The surviving people of Chief Tenaya's band were taken back to Mono Lake? So who are the "Yosemite Miwoks"? They are the descendents of James Savage's workers and the descendents of the Indian scouts who helped the Mariposa Battalion. That is Chief Bautista, Cypriano and Cow'chitty. The chiefs signed the Fremont and Barbour treaties before the Mariposa Battalion went into Yosemite to capture Tenaya. So they are not the same people as the Ahwahnees.
The Moon is Waxing Gibbous (61% of Full)
Re: Yosemite's Chief Tenaya - What the Park wont tell you.
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July 02, 2009 11:09PM |
July 02, 2009 11:14PM |
Sign located in the Yosemite National Park's Miwok Indian Village.
Sign up close:
Kau'tcitti (Cow'chitty)
Also the Indian photographed on the sign is Tom Hutchings a Mono Paiute now being called a Miwok. His descendents are in the Paiute tribe today.
Also NO mention of Chief Tenaya at the Yosemite Indian Village, which btw is patterned after a Paiute village in photos taken by Eadweard Muybridge.
From The Discovery of the Yosemite, by Dr. Lafayette H. Bunnell;
Page 223
Major Savage sent Cow-chitty, a brother of Pon-watch-ee, the chief of the
Noot-choo band, whose village we surprised before we discovered the
valley, as chief of scouts. He was accompanied by several young warriors,
selected because they were all familiar with the Sierra Nevada trails and
the territory of the Pai-utes, where it was thought probable the
expedition would penetrate.
Captain Boling had in his report to Major Savage, complained of the
incapacity of Sandino as guide, and expressed the opinion that he stood in
awe of Ten-ie-ya. By letter, the Major replied, and particularly advised
Captain Boling that implicit confidence could be placed in Cow-chitty and
his scouts, as the sub-chief was an old enemy of Ten-ie-ya, and was
esteemed for his sagacity and wood-craft, which was superior to that of
any Indian in his tribe. Captain Boling had improved in health and
strength, and concluded to venture on his contemplated expedition over the
mountains. He at once ordered preparations to be made. A camp-guard was
detailed, and a special supply train fitted out. All was ready for a start
in the morning. During the evening Captain Boling consulted our new guide [Cow’chitty]
as to what trail would be best to follow to the Mono pass and over the
mountains. Cow-chitty had already learned from our Po-ho-no scouts and
those of his own tribe, the extent of our explorations, and had had a long
talk with Sandino as well as with Ten-ie-ya. The mission Indian and the
old chief tried to make the new guide believe that the Yosemites had gone
over the mountains to the Monos. Indian-like, he had remained very grave
and taciturn, while the preparations were going on for the expedition.
Now, however, that he was consulted by Captain Boling, he was willing
enough to give his advice, and in a very emphatic manner declared his
belief to the Captain that Ten-ie-ya's people were not far off; that they
were either hiding in some of
Page 224
the rocky canyons in the vicinity of the valley, or in those of the
Tuolumne.
page 231
They had been anxious to embroil us in trouble by drawing us into the
canyons of the Tuolumne [Hetch Hetchy], where were some Pai-utes wintering in a valley
like Ah-wah-ne.
Then from this book:
Big Jim Savage; Blonde King of the Indians and Discoverer of Yosemite
By Ben T. Traywick
World Renowned Author
Chapter 12
Chief Tenieya had tried every trick imaginable to prevent the white soldiers from going in to the mountains. Thwarted at every trick he had even tried to escape a number of times. Finally, tired of Tenieya’s and Sandino’s repeated efforts to convince the white men that the Yosemites had joined the Monos over the mountains. Captain Boling picked himself a new guide, called Cowchitty. The new guide was an old enemy of Tenieya’s Yosemites and was a sub-chief of the Nootchee tribe.
Boling consulted his new guide as to the whereabouts of the Yosemites and how to find them.
Cowchitty considered the captain thoughtfully for a moment then replied, “Tenieya’s people near about; hide in rocks, brush, canyons. May be in valley, may be in Tuolumne. We go higher in mountains; horses no can go.”
The captain believed that Cowchitty’s advice was good, so he left the horses and supply train behind. They climbed thru Pyweack Canyon and took the trail on the north cliff, marching on foot and carrying provision for three days.
Not one of the white men could see any sign of the Yosemite’s trail that Cowchitty followed thru the mountains, over snow up to ten feet deep, over rocks and wind swept ridges. Bunnell later wrote that Boling remarked, “I could follow the trail of a flying woodpecker more easily than that one that Cowchitty reads.”
Soon the guide approached Boling and said, “We not far from their camp. Trail leads to head of Pyweack where Paiute and Mono trail goes to valley of Tuolumne. If they not at lake, Yosemites have crossed mountains. Better you send out scouts now to catch Yosemite guards that watch valley trail.”
Boling nodded and selected his strongest and fastest runners. He sent these scouts out in pairs, one Nootchee Indian warrior and one white soldier. They moved out to clear the trail of guards and the rest of the column moved slowly and steadily upward.
Late that day they came upon the guide, Cowchitty, sitting on a log waiting for them. He had been scouting far in advance of the main party. When Boling came up the guide pointed to a tall, granite peak and said, “Rancheria”. There upon the shores of a beautiful lake lay the Indian village, nestled at the base of a cliff. Certainly no white man had ever gazed upon the lake before.
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2009 11:46PM by Yosemite_Indian.
Sign up close:
Kau'tcitti (Cow'chitty)
Also the Indian photographed on the sign is Tom Hutchings a Mono Paiute now being called a Miwok. His descendents are in the Paiute tribe today.
Also NO mention of Chief Tenaya at the Yosemite Indian Village, which btw is patterned after a Paiute village in photos taken by Eadweard Muybridge.
From The Discovery of the Yosemite, by Dr. Lafayette H. Bunnell;
Page 223
Major Savage sent Cow-chitty, a brother of Pon-watch-ee, the chief of the
Noot-choo band, whose village we surprised before we discovered the
valley, as chief of scouts. He was accompanied by several young warriors,
selected because they were all familiar with the Sierra Nevada trails and
the territory of the Pai-utes, where it was thought probable the
expedition would penetrate.
Captain Boling had in his report to Major Savage, complained of the
incapacity of Sandino as guide, and expressed the opinion that he stood in
awe of Ten-ie-ya. By letter, the Major replied, and particularly advised
Captain Boling that implicit confidence could be placed in Cow-chitty and
his scouts, as the sub-chief was an old enemy of Ten-ie-ya, and was
esteemed for his sagacity and wood-craft, which was superior to that of
any Indian in his tribe. Captain Boling had improved in health and
strength, and concluded to venture on his contemplated expedition over the
mountains. He at once ordered preparations to be made. A camp-guard was
detailed, and a special supply train fitted out. All was ready for a start
in the morning. During the evening Captain Boling consulted our new guide [Cow’chitty]
as to what trail would be best to follow to the Mono pass and over the
mountains. Cow-chitty had already learned from our Po-ho-no scouts and
those of his own tribe, the extent of our explorations, and had had a long
talk with Sandino as well as with Ten-ie-ya. The mission Indian and the
old chief tried to make the new guide believe that the Yosemites had gone
over the mountains to the Monos. Indian-like, he had remained very grave
and taciturn, while the preparations were going on for the expedition.
Now, however, that he was consulted by Captain Boling, he was willing
enough to give his advice, and in a very emphatic manner declared his
belief to the Captain that Ten-ie-ya's people were not far off; that they
were either hiding in some of
Page 224
the rocky canyons in the vicinity of the valley, or in those of the
Tuolumne.
page 231
They had been anxious to embroil us in trouble by drawing us into the
canyons of the Tuolumne [Hetch Hetchy], where were some Pai-utes wintering in a valley
like Ah-wah-ne.
Then from this book:
Big Jim Savage; Blonde King of the Indians and Discoverer of Yosemite
By Ben T. Traywick
World Renowned Author
Chapter 12
Chief Tenieya had tried every trick imaginable to prevent the white soldiers from going in to the mountains. Thwarted at every trick he had even tried to escape a number of times. Finally, tired of Tenieya’s and Sandino’s repeated efforts to convince the white men that the Yosemites had joined the Monos over the mountains. Captain Boling picked himself a new guide, called Cowchitty. The new guide was an old enemy of Tenieya’s Yosemites and was a sub-chief of the Nootchee tribe.
Boling consulted his new guide as to the whereabouts of the Yosemites and how to find them.
Cowchitty considered the captain thoughtfully for a moment then replied, “Tenieya’s people near about; hide in rocks, brush, canyons. May be in valley, may be in Tuolumne. We go higher in mountains; horses no can go.”
The captain believed that Cowchitty’s advice was good, so he left the horses and supply train behind. They climbed thru Pyweack Canyon and took the trail on the north cliff, marching on foot and carrying provision for three days.
Not one of the white men could see any sign of the Yosemite’s trail that Cowchitty followed thru the mountains, over snow up to ten feet deep, over rocks and wind swept ridges. Bunnell later wrote that Boling remarked, “I could follow the trail of a flying woodpecker more easily than that one that Cowchitty reads.”
Soon the guide approached Boling and said, “We not far from their camp. Trail leads to head of Pyweack where Paiute and Mono trail goes to valley of Tuolumne. If they not at lake, Yosemites have crossed mountains. Better you send out scouts now to catch Yosemite guards that watch valley trail.”
Boling nodded and selected his strongest and fastest runners. He sent these scouts out in pairs, one Nootchee Indian warrior and one white soldier. They moved out to clear the trail of guards and the rest of the column moved slowly and steadily upward.
Late that day they came upon the guide, Cowchitty, sitting on a log waiting for them. He had been scouting far in advance of the main party. When Boling came up the guide pointed to a tall, granite peak and said, “Rancheria”. There upon the shores of a beautiful lake lay the Indian village, nestled at the base of a cliff. Certainly no white man had ever gazed upon the lake before.
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2009 11:46PM by Yosemite_Indian.
July 03, 2009 12:05AM |
Here is more from The Discovery of the Yosemite from Dr. Lafaytte H. Bunnell:
Page 219
"Though seemingly unimpressed by their sublime surroundings, their figures
and comparisons, when not objectionable, were beautiful, because natural.
The Pai-ute and Mono Colony originally established by Ten-ie-ya, was the
result of a desire to improve their physical condition. They were attached
to this valley as a home. The instinctive attraction that an Indian has
for his place of nativity is incomprehensible; it is more than a religious
sentiment; it is a passion.
and:
PAGE 272
"Old Ten-ie-ya, and his band, were never recipients of friendly favors from
Savage, nor was he in very good standing with the agent. This was known to
the other chiefs, and they...
Page 273
frequently taunted him with his downfall. The old chief chafed under the
contemptuous treatment of those who had once feared him and applied to the
sub-agent or farmer for permission to go back to his mountain home."
More documentation that Chief Tenaya and his band were Mono Paiutes, and when Chief Tenaya was captured the other "chiefs", Cypriano, Cow'chitty, Bautista and others who once "FEARED HIM" now were taunting him at the reservation. Showing that the Miwoks were not Ahwahneechees and Yosemite Valley Indians. That they were not "friendly" with each other. Why were the Miwok chiefs taunting Tenaya and afraid of him if they were the same people? That is because the Miwoks were not Yosemite Valley Indians, but today Yosemite National Park has the same people who once feared and taunted Tenaya as the original Ahwahneechees.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2009 12:08AM by Yosemite_Indian.
Page 219
"Though seemingly unimpressed by their sublime surroundings, their figures
and comparisons, when not objectionable, were beautiful, because natural.
The Pai-ute and Mono Colony originally established by Ten-ie-ya, was the
result of a desire to improve their physical condition. They were attached
to this valley as a home. The instinctive attraction that an Indian has
for his place of nativity is incomprehensible; it is more than a religious
sentiment; it is a passion.
and:
PAGE 272
"Old Ten-ie-ya, and his band, were never recipients of friendly favors from
Savage, nor was he in very good standing with the agent. This was known to
the other chiefs, and they...
Page 273
frequently taunted him with his downfall. The old chief chafed under the
contemptuous treatment of those who had once feared him and applied to the
sub-agent or farmer for permission to go back to his mountain home."
More documentation that Chief Tenaya and his band were Mono Paiutes, and when Chief Tenaya was captured the other "chiefs", Cypriano, Cow'chitty, Bautista and others who once "FEARED HIM" now were taunting him at the reservation. Showing that the Miwoks were not Ahwahneechees and Yosemite Valley Indians. That they were not "friendly" with each other. Why were the Miwok chiefs taunting Tenaya and afraid of him if they were the same people? That is because the Miwoks were not Yosemite Valley Indians, but today Yosemite National Park has the same people who once feared and taunted Tenaya as the original Ahwahneechees.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/03/2009 12:08AM by Yosemite_Indian.
August 17, 2009 09:21PM |
August 17, 2009 10:11PM |
August 17, 2009 11:03PM |
August 17, 2009 11:48PM |
August 18, 2009 10:19AM |
August 22, 2009 06:24AM |
August 22, 2009 06:44PM |
August 22, 2009 07:15PM |
August 22, 2009 07:49PM |
August 23, 2009 12:28AM |
August 23, 2009 06:24AM |
There were ancient pre-contact Great Basin (Uto-Aztecan) Petroglyphs - Pictoglyphs in Yosemite.
Paiutes in Yosemite in olden times
There was Obsidian found in Yosemite as far as El Portal which came from Paiute Mono Lake found at ancient sites.
The bodies found at ancient gravesites at El Portal were covered in red ocrhe, which was used by Paiutes and came from the Great Basin also in burials. Like bodies found in Paiute areas also in the same position.
There was Owens Valley pottery found in the graves. Owens Valley pottery only comes from the Bishop Paiute tribes. The graves were ancient.
The oldest basket found in Northwestern Yosemite was a Paiute burden basket.
There were groves of Pinon trees that only grow in the eastern side in area where Paiutes lived, found in northern Yosemite. They were hundreds of years old.
During that time no Miwoks entered the Paiute area without being attacked and killed and there are documented reports of that. So no Miwoks could have entered Mono Lake without being attacked and killed. Miwoks and Paiutes were also fighting before whites entered the area.
Miwoks were BROUGHT UP to the foothills from the San Joaquin Valley floor during the Gold Rush to work and dig gold for whites. That is also documented in many, many books.
See that "bite" taken out of that Uto-Aztecan area on this map with the "Miwoks" have a like a 'foot'...that is YOSEMITE. That was drawn later on. If you go from the Monachees(Monos) to the Mono Lake Paiutes and fill in that area...that is where Yosemite is. Mono Paiute Yosemite.
Chief Tenaya was documented to be a warrior and fought many battles. The Mono Paiutes were to the right, The Monos to the bottom and the Owen Valley Paiutes who were also friends to the tip of the southwest and traded. By looking at the map you can see that Yosemite was surrounded by Uto-Aztecan people (Mono - Mono Paiutes). That would leave only the Miwoks who could have been the people that Chief Tenaya would have fought with. So who was Tenaya fighting? Not his own people the Mono Paiutes who bragged about his war exploits.
Chief Tenaya could not speak Miwok or James Savage would've been able to communicate with Tenaya. Tenaya spoke Paiute. Tenaya was an old man when the Mariposa Battalion entered Yosemite Valley.
Explain all of these points?
Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 08/23/2009 06:41AM by Yosemite_Indian.
Paiutes in Yosemite in olden times
There was Obsidian found in Yosemite as far as El Portal which came from Paiute Mono Lake found at ancient sites.
The bodies found at ancient gravesites at El Portal were covered in red ocrhe, which was used by Paiutes and came from the Great Basin also in burials. Like bodies found in Paiute areas also in the same position.
There was Owens Valley pottery found in the graves. Owens Valley pottery only comes from the Bishop Paiute tribes. The graves were ancient.
The oldest basket found in Northwestern Yosemite was a Paiute burden basket.
There were groves of Pinon trees that only grow in the eastern side in area where Paiutes lived, found in northern Yosemite. They were hundreds of years old.
During that time no Miwoks entered the Paiute area without being attacked and killed and there are documented reports of that. So no Miwoks could have entered Mono Lake without being attacked and killed. Miwoks and Paiutes were also fighting before whites entered the area.
Miwoks were BROUGHT UP to the foothills from the San Joaquin Valley floor during the Gold Rush to work and dig gold for whites. That is also documented in many, many books.
See that "bite" taken out of that Uto-Aztecan area on this map with the "Miwoks" have a like a 'foot'...that is YOSEMITE. That was drawn later on. If you go from the Monachees(Monos) to the Mono Lake Paiutes and fill in that area...that is where Yosemite is. Mono Paiute Yosemite.
Chief Tenaya was documented to be a warrior and fought many battles. The Mono Paiutes were to the right, The Monos to the bottom and the Owen Valley Paiutes who were also friends to the tip of the southwest and traded. By looking at the map you can see that Yosemite was surrounded by Uto-Aztecan people (Mono - Mono Paiutes). That would leave only the Miwoks who could have been the people that Chief Tenaya would have fought with. So who was Tenaya fighting? Not his own people the Mono Paiutes who bragged about his war exploits.
Chief Tenaya could not speak Miwok or James Savage would've been able to communicate with Tenaya. Tenaya spoke Paiute. Tenaya was an old man when the Mariposa Battalion entered Yosemite Valley.
Explain all of these points?
Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 08/23/2009 06:41AM by Yosemite_Indian.
August 23, 2009 10:11PM |
August 24, 2009 01:49AM |
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