Chemehuevi

Chemehuevi

Chemehuevi lands in California and Arizona
Total population
(2010: 1,201 alone and in combination)
Regions with significant populations
United States ( Arizona,  California)
Languages
Colorado River Numic language, English
Religion
Native American Church, Sun Dance, traditional tribal religion,Christianity, Ghost Dance
Related ethnic groups
Southern Paiute people

The Chemehuevi are an indigenous people of the Great Basin. They are the southernmost branch of Paiute. Today, Chemehuevi people are enrolled in the following federally recognized tribes:

Some Chemehuevi are also part of the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, which members are mostly Sovovatum or Soboba band members of Cahuilla and Luiseño people.

"Chemehuevi" has multiple interpretations. It is considered to either be a Mojave term meaning "those who play with fish;" or a Quechan word meaning "nose-in-the-air-like-a-roadrunner." The Chemehuevi call themselves Nüwüwü ("The People", singular Nüwü) or Tantáwats, meaning "Southern Men."

The language, Chemehuevi, is a Colorado River Numic language, in the Numic language branch of the Uto-Aztecan language family. First transcribed by John P. Harrington and Carobeth Laird in the early 20th century, it was studied in the 1970s by linguist Margaret L. Press. whose field notes and extensive sound recordings remain available. The language is now near extinction; during the filming of Ironbound Films' 2008 American documentary film The Linguists, linguists Greg Anderson and K. David Harrison interviewed and recorded one of the last 3 remaining speakers.

In 2015, the Siwavaats Junior College in Havasu Lake, California has been established to teach children the language. A Chemehuevi dictionary with 2,500 words is expected to become available in 2016.