Maidu language
| Northeastern Maidu | |
|---|---|
| Májdy | |
| Native to | United States |
| Region | California |
| Extinct | down to 1 by 1994; gone by 2007 |
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Maiduan
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| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | |
| Glottolog | nort2952 |
Pre-contact distribution of Maiduan languages
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Maidu /ˈmaɪduː/, also Northeastern Maidu or Mountain Maidu, is an extinct Maiduan language spoken by Maidu peoples traditionally in the mountains east and south of Lassen Peak in the American River and Feather River river drainages. These river regions include such valleys in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains of California as: Indian Valley, American Valley, Butte Valley, and Big Meadows. Maidu may also refer to the related Konkow and Nisenan languages.
The pre-contact Maidu peoples lived in a hunting and gathering society in parts of central California. These peoples lived in an area around what are now called Mount Lassen, Honey Lake, Sacramento, and Lake Tahoe. They spoke closely related languages, including the living Maidu, Konkow and Nisenan languages, along with the Chico language and other extinct variations.
Farrell Cunningham, one of the youngest fluent Yamani Maidu speakers, taught "Mountain Maidu language classes in Greenville, Susanville, Nevada City and Auburn", and was active with the Maidu Theater in Nevada City, until his death on August 11, 2013, at age 37. Other remaining speakers may belong to the Berry Creek Rancheria of Maidu Indians. Active language revitalization efforts have been underway since 2004. As of 2011, classes in Maidu were available in Nevada County, California.
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