The Wintu Indians were the northernmost division of the Copehan stock of Powell, later called Wintun by Kroeber (1932) and now regarded as part of the Penutian family.
Wintu Indians. The native word meaning “people.” For synonyms see Wintun.
Location
In the valleys of the upper Sacramento and upper Trinity Rivers north of Cottonwood Creek and extending from Cow Creek on the east to the South Fork of the Trinity on the west.
Subdivisions (As given by Du Bois (1935) but placing the native name first)
- Dau-nom, “in-front-of-west” (Bald Hills), a flat valley area at the foot of the hills south of Reading and east of the coastal range.
- Dau-pom, “in-front-of-place” (Stillwater), comprising the plateau to the north of Reading.
- Elpom, “shore place” (Keswick), extending from a point somewhat south of Kennett on the Sacramento chiefly along the west bank southward almost to Reading, and including the former Indian settlements around the mining town of Old Shasta.
- Hayfork Wintu, on the Hayfork branch of Trinity River and on Trinity River about Junction City, extending also from about Middletown westward to the South Fork of the Trinity.
- Klabalpom (French Gulch), on the upper reaches of Clear Creek.
- Nomsus, “west-dwelling” (Upper Trinity), on the East Fork of Trinity River and Trinity River proper as far south as Lewiston.
- Nomtipom, “west-hillside-place” (Upper Sacramento), along the precipitous reaches of the upper Sacramento above Kennett.
- Waimuk, “north inhabitant(?),” in the narrow valley of the upper McCloud River.
- Winimen, “middle-water” (McCloud), in the McCloud and lower Pit Valleys.
- Du Bois (1935) mentions Nomkentcau and Nomkali as two villages in Watson Gulch.
Population
(See Wintun.)