Who Are the Winnemem Wintu People?

The Winnemem Wintu are the Indigenous people of the McCloud River in Northern California. “Winnemem” means “Middle Water,” reflecting our stewardship of what is now colonially called the McCloud River, and “Wintu” translates to “human.” Descended from one of nine Wintu bands, we trace our birthplace to Buliyuum Puyuuk (Mount Shasta)—one of 20 sacred mountains holding the world together.

Despite colonization, genocide, and the flooding of our homelands by the Shasta Dam, the Winnemem Wintu persist—protecting salmon runs, upholding ceremonies, and preserving our language. Today, we strive to continue our ancestral responsibilities, ensuring the land, water, and the cosmology are in alignment for future generations.