Interviews with Paul Edmondson about his Native American Historical Fiction “Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya “
Tag: Ahwahneechee
Ahwahneechee people are Native Americans who lived in Yosemite Valley (Ahwahnee). They are Northern Paiutes, related to the Mono Paiutes.
They lived in Yosemite for many millennia before being driven from their homelands during the Mariposa Indian War of 1850/51. At this time the Gold Rush had brought tens of thousands of new settlers into California seeking their fortunes.
These new settlers ousted the indigenous people from their land. This led to skirmishes, robberies, and murders. To protect the prospectors and settlers, the State Governor authorized the formation of the Mariposa Battalion. They entered Yosemite in 1851 to eventually drive out the Ahwahneechee families.
The true story of the Ahawahneechee people and their Chief, Tenaya, is re-told in the historical fiction Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya.
Bridalveil Fall was called Pohono (Po-ho-no) by the original inhabitants (Ahwahneechees) of Yosemite Valley. Possibly meaning Spirit of the Puffing (or Evil) Win
The Merced River flows into Yosemite Valley through Little Yosemite Valley before dropping over Nevada and Vernal Falls, flowing through the valley, where it is joined by several creeks.
The structures that rise in Mono Lake are known as Tufas. A Tufa is a variety of limestone, formed by precipitation of carbonate from ambient temperature water. These build over millennia to form towers
A photograph of Nevada Fall in full flow, taken from Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park
Tenaya Lake was named in honour of Chief Tenaya and his people, the Ahwahneechees after their capture at this location during the Mariposa War of 1850/51
Vernal Fall, Yosemite NP, were called Yanopah (Yan-o-pah), believed to mean “Little Mist”, by the Ahwahneechees, the original people who inhabited Yosemite Valley.
Sunset rays strike El Capitan, Yosemite Valley, reflected in the Merced River
A sunset view of Valley View, Yosemite Valley, or Ahwahnee as known by the original inhabitants of Yosemite Valley. Ahwahnee is believed to mean “Gaping Mouth”