Moapa Band of Paiute Indians

The Moapa Bands of Paiutes or Nuwuvi are part of the Southern Paiute Nation which includes others like the the Kaibab, Shivwitz, and Chemehuevi bands of Paiutes. However, cultural disruption during the past two centuries have threatened the continuation of traditional life. Prior to the 1800s, the Moapa Paiutes were a culturally well adapted people who combined farming with hunting and gathering.

Most of the domestic objects of our ancestors were various forms of intricately designed basketry, including water jars, winnowing and parching trays, cradle boards, cooking baskets and seed beaters. They had great skill in the use of animal skins and plants. Their knowledge of nutritional and medicinal uses of plants was extensive. The history of Moapa following white contact, dating from the 1830 opening of the Old Spanish Trail, is a tragedy. A peaceful people saw their land and water seized, and their homes frequently raided by slavers. Conflicts erupted with Mormon settlers, New Mexicans and other emigrants. Our numbers diminished rapidly as new diseases were contracted, especially tuberculosis and measles. Insurrection and raiding for survival were brutally punished by federal troops and white settlers. Although armed with bow and arrows, defiance did not stop the intrusion of whites into Moapa. The People were forced to flee into the desert and farming was disrupted. In 1873, 39,000 square miles were set aside for tribal lands by the federal government. In 1875, though, the reservation was reduced to a meager 1,000 acres, followed by 60 years of neglect and corruption by white agents. In 1941 a Constitution and bylaws were created, and the Business Council was established as a governing body for the tribe.