Tag: Chief Tenaya

Chief Tenaya

Chief Tenaya was Chief of the Ahwahneechees, who were the original, indigenous peoples of Ahwahnee. (Ahwahnee is now known as Yosemite). He was born near Mono Lake. His father, who preceded him as Chief, had fled Ahwahnee towards the end of the 18th century after most of his people had died of the “black sickness” that had overcome them. So, they crossed Kayopah (Sierra Nevada) to live with their relations – the Kootzduka’a (Mono Paiutes). Subsequently, he took a Paiute wife and Tenaya was born out of this union. Tenaya was raised amongst the Kootzduka’a.

After His Father’s Death

After his father died, he succeeded him as Chief of the Ahwahneechees. At this time, he received advice from the shaman, to take his wives and family, and all who wished to travel with them to Ahwahnee. Thus the tribe re-settled in the valley, living in peace and harmony with their surroundings.
During the California Gold Rush, prospectors and new settlers invaded indigenous lands, driving out the people from their homelands. Skirmishes led to murders and, inevitably, war. Consequently, armed forces were established to protect the new arrivals and to force the original inhabitants into reservations. One such force was the Mariposa Battalion which invaded Ahwahnee in 1850. Despite the heroic struggles of Chef Tenaya and his people they were ousted from their valley and taken to the Fresno Indian Farm Reservation.
The Chief and remnants of his people returned to Ahwahnee. Further skirmishes forced the return of soldiers, but Tenaya and his family fled to Mono lake, where they were welcomed and settled for a couple of years.
When all were safe, they returned to the valley in 1853. However, they fell out with their neighbors after stealing some of their horses. The Paiute Chief and braves set out to Ahwahnee, where they killed Tenaya and his family. It is believed that only 8 survivors of the original tribe either escaped or were taken back to Mono Lake.
Tenaya Lake was named in honor of the Chief and his people.
The astonishing and true story of Chief Tenaya and the Ahawahneechees is re-told in the epic historical novel “Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya”.