Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park was named in honor of Chief Tenaya and his people, the Ahwahneechees. This happened after their capture here during the Mariposa War of 1850/51. The Native American Historical Fiction, Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya, re-tells the true and gripping tale of the Chief and his people as they fight for their survival at the time of the California Gold Rush.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenaya_Lake
Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park: Origin of the Name
The original inhabitants of Yosemite called the lake Pywiack (Py-wi-ack), meaning “shining rocks”. Subsequently, the lake was renamed in honor of Chief Tenaya and his family. It was here that the remnants of the Chief’s people were captured by the Mariposa Battalion in May 1851.
During the California Gold Rush, entire indigenous populations were attacked and emphatically robbed of their lands by prospectors and new settlers. As a result of skirmishes between the new arrivals and the indigenous populations, outbreaks of robbery, betrayals, and murders took place. Consequently, the California State Governor authorized the formation of the Mariposa Battalion to protect the new arrivals. Finally, the Mariposa Indian War was waged in 1850/51, to capture and drive out the Ahwahneechees from their homelands.
After driving Tenaya’s people out of Yosemite Valley, Company B of the Mariposa Battalion tracked the remaining group to Pywiack. This was under the direction of the scout Chief Ponwatchee (of the Nootchoos). Eventually, they surrounded and captured the last of Tenaya’s people. All this without a shot or arrow being fired.
In total, the number of starving and disheveled Ahwahneechees captured was 35. They were all related in some way to their Chief. From Pywiack, they were taken to the Fresno Indian Farm Reservation.
Yosemite National Park Book – A Native American Fiction
The epic, true story of the Ahwahneechees and their Chief Tenaya, is re-told in the Native American historical fiction, Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya. This novel is a mix of actual historical events blended with imaginative and compelling storytelling.
This Historical Fiction Book is #1 in Goodreads Listopia “Books to Read Before Visiting Yosemite“
Hi, I am Paul, photographer, and author of the historical novel “Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya”. This ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ illustrated book is available in eBook and paperback formats through all major online booksellers from $2.99 (e.g. Amazon, Bookshop.org, IndieBound, Apple Books, etc) - details can be found in "Purchasing Options" in the "About the Book" drop-down.