The Nisenan THE PEOPLE OF NEVADA COUNTY   EXPLORE FURTHER Becoming California, stories from California Gold Rush History For thousands of years the Nisenan-Southern Maidu lived near the banks of the clear rivers and streams of Nevada County. Members of Chief Oustamah's village lived in a hu (home) made of cedar bark slabs. The cedar bark house was shaped like an upside down cone. There was a hole in the top of the roof to let out the smoke from the cooking fires.The beds were made of pine needles and cedar branches. Blankets were made of animal furs. The peaceful Maidu families hunted and gathered food together. The men and boys hunted for deer, bear, rabbits, squirrels, and other game. They fished for salmon in the cold rushing waters of Deer Creek, the Yuba, and Bear River. Because the Nisenan did not have pottery or metal containers the women and girls had to weave baskets for gathering food and cooking. Women gathered food with a large cone-shaped woven basket strapped to their backs and had a digging stick in their hand. They gathered berries and seeds then dug for bulbs and roots. In the autumn, women also gathered acorns for winter food supplies. The acorns were ground on big rocks near the village. They were washed in a stream to remove the bitter taste. The acorn mash was then cooked by heating round river rocks in fire. A special stick was used to hold the rock in the mush without burning the basket. When the gold miners came in l850 there were disputes about the land belonging to the Nisenan villagers. The Native Americans were badly treated and their homes were taken away from them. Little by little the white men took all the Nisenan land and the streams became dirty from mining. The fish left and game became scarce. Most of the Nisenan were killed or left the area. By l870 there were only nine Native Americans in the area. Native Americans Today There are some Native Americans living in Nevada County and some live in neighboring Placer County. Maidu baskets are on display in the Firehouse museum. Local historical landmarks include the Indian burial grounds and the large medicine rock in Nevada City. The huge granite boulder was a good place for the Native Americans to lie and soak the sun's rays to cure their ills. The Nisenan used to lie on the rock and let the sun cure any sickness they had. California Indian Basketweavers Association
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