Mechoopda Indian Tribe

MECHOOPDA INDIAN TRIBE

Mikcapdo was the village along Sap’-sim Séwi, or Little Chico Creek, where many Mechoopda people lived before the ecological destruction of the Gold Rush changed the flow of the river. They survived for thousands of years with technology, sciences, and strategies associated with a “hunting and gathering economy.” Many community members recognize the Mechoopda Tribe by their concerted and highly-successful efforts in large-scale ecological management in Chico. Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge sharing with both tribal members and non-members has expanded community understanding of the importance of sound land stewardship practices. The Mechoopda tribe has about 560 tribal members today.