FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Manahüü (hello) and welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page of the Bishop Paiute Tribe. Please scroll down to learn more about the Nüümü (Paiute people).

Where are the Bishop Paiute Tribe’s traditional homelands?

The Bishop Paiute Tribe’s traditional homelands encompass more than 2 million acres of the Eastern Sierra and Great Basin regions in eastern California and western Nevada. It includes areas as far north as around Bridgeport and as far south as around Ridgecrest; it extends east into the White and Inyo Mountains and the Sierra Nevada act as a sort of western boundary. However, seasonal trade routes also crossed the Sierra Nevada, connecting communities on either side.

How did Paiute people survive on the land pre-contact?

Paiute people hunted a variety of animals and gathered edible and medicinal plants. Additionally, contrary to settler narratives that Indigenous people didn’t “utilize” the land and therefore land dispossession was justified, Paiute people independently developed an agricultural system that endured over 500 years. This system involved ditch construction, rock clearing, and the use of water-control features to irrigate a variety of edible plants in the Owens Valley.[1]

What type of traditional houses did Paiute people live in?

While there are stereotypes that all Native people lived in tipis, traditional houses for Paiute people are called tonis and were made from tule reeds. This type of housing was typically found in the valley. Housing built up in the mountains were called wagoni and were made of conifers. Other types of housing structures that were used in the past have been identified in other locations as well.

What is an Indian reservation?
An Indian reservation is an area of land where the title to the land is held in trust by the federal government on behalf of a tribe. Reservations can also be called pueblos, rancherias, villages, communities, etc.[2] Often, tribal governments are located on reservations and tribal members live there too. However, not all tribes have reservations. Land held in trust by the federal government (like a reservation) is a legal status referred to as “trust land.” Individual tribes have jurisdiction over their trust lands and there are specific benefits, protections, and limitations associated with trust lands.[3] The terms “allotment” and “fee land” are other terms that may be used in reference to land associated with Native people. Allotments are trust lands held in trust by the federal government on behalf of a Native individual. Fee land is land purchased by a Tribe or Native individual that is not held in trust by the federal government.[4] Fee land can be transferred into trust through a process administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.[5]
How large is the Bishop Paiute Reservation?
The Bishop Paiute Reservation is 875 acres and is located directly to the west of Bishop, CA. The Bishop Paiute Reservation as it is today was established in 1941 by a trade of land between the City of Los Angeles and the Federal Government. The present-day Bishop Paiute Reservation has multiple types of land including residential, commercial, conservation/open space, and governmental. The Bishop Paiute Reservation also hosts many different types of structures including critical infrastructure. The land exchange that created the current Bishop Paiute Reservation traded 2,913.5 acres of former Paiute Indian Reservation land for 1,391.48 acres of land owned by the City of Los Angeles. The 1,391.48 acres were divided between the Bishop, Big Pine, and Lone Pine Reservations. The 2,913.5 acres that were transferred to the City of Los Angeles included the 80-acre parcel known as the Sunland Indian Reservation which was established by President William Taft via Executive Order 1496 in 1912. The people living on the Sunland Indian Reservation at the time of the transfer were a sustainable community successfully maintaining gardens, orchards, and alfalfa on that land.[6]
Is the Bishop Paiute Tribe federally recognized? What does it mean to be a federally recognized Tribe?
Yes, the Bishop Paiute Tribe is federally recognized. Federally recognized tribes have government-to-government relations with the United States government.[7] Federally recognized tribes also possess tribal sovereignty, or the inherent right to self-governance including the establishment of their own structure of government, laws, and citizenship criteria.[8] As of December 2024, there were 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States.
What is tribal consultation?
Tribal consultation is government-to-government dialogue between a Tribe and a federal agency regarding certain federal proposals. This process fulfills the responsibility of federal agencies to notify Tribes of these federal proposals and provide the opportunity to receive input from Tribes before a decision is made on that proposal.[9] This process has been mandated and clarified through federal legislation and executive orders. Consultation also happens at the state and county level, and with some organizations as defined by various laws, policies, and procedures. More detailed information on the federal consultation process can be found here: https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48093
What is the governance structure of the Bishop Paiute Tribe?
The Bishop Paiute Tribe is governed by the Tribal Council which consists of five elected members who each serve four-year terms. Tribal Council members are elected by General Council, which consists of all Bishop Paiute Tribal members who are eligible to vote acting together in an election.[10]
How many members does the Bishop Paiute Tribe have? What does it mean to be a Tribal member?

Currently, the Bishop Paiute Tribe has about 2,000+ members making it the 5th largest tribe in California. A Bishop Paiute Tribal member is an official citizen of the Bishop Paiute Tribe.

Why is a casino allowed on the Bishop Paiute Reservation when casino style gambling is illegal in California?
While most types of gambling are illegal in California, tribal sovereignty allows the Bishop Paiute Tribe to operate a casino on the reservation to support the self-sufficiency of the Tribe. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988 provides a statutory structure for tribal gaming. It allows tribes to operate casinos on Indian land with varying levels of tribal, state, and federal regulation (depending on the class of gambling operations) to promote tribal economic development and self-sufficiency. In California, tribes must enter into a compact with the state to operate a casino. These compacts require that some of the revenue from tribal casinos be given to the state of California.[11] For more information on Indian gaming please visit the Indian Gaming Association website: https://indiangaming.org/
Does the Bishop Paiute Tribe have a land acknowledgment that can be used?

No there is not a “one size fits all” land acknowledgement for this area. Organizations looking to create a land acknowledgment should research what a land acknowledgment should entail. Some resources to get you started (but are far from all-encompassing) are below:

“Beyond Land Acknowledgment: A Guide” by Native Governance Center

“Rethinking Land Acknowledgements” by UNC Anthropology

“Land Acknowledgments” by the National Museum of the American Indian

Is it appropriate for an organization to use pictures of cultural resources (e.g. petroglyphs, dwelling sites, lithics) to accompany a land acknowledgment?

No, it is not. The Bishop Paiute Tribe discourages the use of pictures of cultural resources by non-Tribal organizations, particularly for commercial use.

Will the Bishop Paiute Tribe review land acknowledgements, websites, or other materials from outside organizations?

Organizations should do their due diligence when researching information about tribes and include appropriate and accurate information with citations.

If information is specific to the Bishop Paiute Tribe or an endorsement from the Bishop Paiute Tribe is needed, then approval may be required by Tribal Administration. Please contact the Tribe via the information at the bottom of the page. Please note that approval may take a while.

Where can I find more information about the history of water rights in the area from a Native perspective?

The website of the Owens Valley Indian Water Commission (OVIWC) is one resource that has lots of information about the history of water rights in the area. OVIWC was established in 1991 with the purpose of negotiating tribal water rights on behalf of the Bishop, Big Pine and Lone Pine tribes with the federal government and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). OVIWC still works to defend water resources in the area as well as promotes local food security. More information can be found on their website: https://www.oviwc.org/

Does the Tribe have local place names in Paiute?

Yes, there are Paiute names for local places, but often place names in the Paiute language vary depending on region, family, and tribe.

What is the most appropriate terminology: American Indian, Indian, Native, Indigenous, Native American? How do members of the Bishop Paiute Tribe refer to themselves?

Different individuals have different preferences when it comes to terminology. Often, Native or Indigenous are preferred terms. Whenever possible, being specific about which tribe or tribes an individual is from is best.

Nüümü is often translated to “people” and is what some use to refer to themselves as Paiute people. Folks who are enrolled with the Bishop Paiute Tribe might also refer to themselves as Bishop Paiute Tribal members.

How should an organization approach the Bishop Paiute Tribe about a potential collaboration?

There is no set process for proposing a collaboration with the Bishop Paiute Tribe. However, developing meaningful relationships with Tribal staff in specific programs and departments before proposing a collaboration or partnership is always encouraged. Some things to keep in mind:

  • building meaningful relationships with Tribal staff can and should take time
  • developing projects, programs, and/or materials alongside Tribal staff is encouraged, instead of asking for Tribal involvement or approval of already established projects, programs, or materials
  • individual staff members do not formally represent the Bishop Paiute Tribe (Tribal Council does) and interacting with individual staff members does not count as formal consultation or approval
  • collaborations may need to be approved by the Tribal Council before moving forward which can take time

The Native Governance Center has a guide, “Partnering with Native Nations in a Good Way Guide” that may be helpful. It is not an all-encompassing guide.

For more information or more specific questions, please contact the Bishop Paiute Tribe using this contact information: https://bishoppaiute.net/contact-us/

References

[1] Haverstock, G. J., Jayko, A. S., Williams, H. C. (2022). The Archaeological Identification and Radiocarbon Assay of Pre-Colonial Nüümü (Paiute) Agriculture in Payahuunadü (Owens Valley), California. Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology, 42(1), 23-40

[2] Indian Affairs (2017, August 19). What is a federal Indian reservation?. U.S. Department of the Interior. https://www.bia.gov/faqs/what-federal-indian-reservation

[3] Indian Affairs. (n.d.). Fee to Trust Land Acquisitions. U.S. Department of the Interior. https://www.bia.gov/bia/ots/fee-to-trust

[4] Office of Natural Resources Revenue, Information and Data Management. (n.d.) Native American Ownership and Governance of Natural Resources. U.S. Department of the Interior. https://revenuedata.doi.gov/how-revenue-works/native-american-ownership-governance/

[5] See 3

[6] Bengochia, Monty J. (2019). Bishop Paiute Tribe. In the Traditionally Associated Tribes of Yosemite National Park, Voices of the People (pp. 195-196). National Park Service.

[7] Indian Affairs. (2020, October 2). What is a federally recognized tribe?. U.S. Department of the Interior. https://www.bia.gov/faqs/what-federally-recognized-tribe

[8] National Museum of the American Indian. (2025). Teaching & Learning about Native Americans. Native Knowledge 360°. https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/faq/did-you-know#topundefined

[9] Indian Affairs. (n.d.). What is Tribal Consultation?. U.S. Department of the Interior. https://www.bia.gov/service/tribal-consultations/what-tribal-consultation

[10] Bishop Paiute Tribe Election Ordinance (2015). https://bishoppaiute.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ElectionOrdinance.pdf

[11] Dickerson, Jason. (2007, February). California Tribal Casinos: Questions and Answers. Legislative Analyst’s Office – The California Legislature’s Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor. https://lao.ca.gov/2007/tribal_casinos/tribal_casinos_020207.aspx#:~:text=(The%20State%20Constitution%20also%20provides,them%20by%20policy%20or%20force.