
Native American History
Our elders tell we have been here in the beginning, and we are still here in our lands.
— Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California
Ancient Roots: The First Inhabitants
The first known Indigenous people in the area were the Martis culture, dating back to approximately 2000 BC, as evidenced by stone tools, petroglyphs, and grinding stones found across the Sierra, most notably on Donner Summit.
Later, the Washoe Tribe emerged as the primary inhabitants of the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding valleys. Their homeland extended from the eastern Sierra into what is now Nevada and California, with Da.aw (Lake Tahoe) at the spiritual and geographic center of their world.
A Culture of Connection
According to Washoe oral tradition, the Creator Nentašu tasked the plants, waters, and animals of this land to care for the Washoe people, just as the people were instructed to care for the land in return. This reciprocal relationship defined their way of life.
The Washoe people fished the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe, hunted in the mountain forests, and gathered medicinal plants and seeds in the alpine meadows and valleys.
Like most Native peoples, our lifestyles revolved around the environment; the people were part of the environment, and everything was provided by it. — Washoe Tribal Council
Today's Washoe Tribe
The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California remains active and vibrant, with tribal headquarters located in Gardnerville, Nevada. While modern development has limited access to parts of their ancestral lands, the Washoe continue to advocate for cultural recognition, environmental stewardship, and community resilience.
Visitors to the Truckee-Tahoe region are encouraged to learn about and respect the Tribe’s ongoing presence and legacy. You can still find traces of Washoe history in the landscape—from ancient petroglyphs to modern educational efforts.
Voices of the Washoe: 'Walking With My Sisters'
In 2021, when Palisades Tahoe announced it would retire its former name, members of the Washoe Tribe helped lead the dialogue about cultural respect and identity.
The short film Walking With My Sisters highlights the voices of Washoe women and explores why the change mattered so deeply. The 8-minute documentary gives viewers an opportunity to understand the ongoing impacts of historical erasure and the power of visibility.
How You Can Respect & Learn
- Acknowledge that you are visiting ancestral Washoe land
- Learn a few Washoe words (like Da.aw = Lake Tahoe)
- Visit sites like Donner Summit with mindfulness
- Support Tribal-led education and cultural programming
- Share what you learn with others
Featured Experience
Washoe Cultural Talks at High Camp
Ride the Palisades Tahoe Aerial Tram to High Camp at 8,200 feet and join members of the Washoe Tribe as they share stories of their deep-rooted history in Olympic Valley, Lake Tahoe, and the Sierra Nevada mountains. These talks delve into the Tribe's connection to the land, local flora and fauna, and the significance of the resort's name change.