Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins
Native American champion of education and rights.
b. 1844 d. Oct. 17, 1891 at 47 of tuberculosis
http://www.unr.edu/wrc/nwhp/biograph/winnemucca.htm contains an excellent and complete biography of this Northern Paiute woman. She was the daughter of Chief Winnemucca and the granddaughter of Chief Truckee, both powerful and influential leaders of the Northern Paiute tribe. Unlike many western tribes, the Paiutes and Washos welcomed the white man at first. Unfortunately, as white men often did, treaties were broken, reservation lands invaded and Indian Agents were less than fair.Sarah became a vocal and successful activist for native American rights, winning many of her 'battles'. She married white military officers, ( two) and although a very important person, she is viewed both as hero and devil by some in both cultures today. She was quick to take to the white man's ways, and many traditional Pauites today see her as a negative force in their early struggles to remain free.
Her book Life Among the Piutes first appeared in 1883 and is a monumental accomplishment. She told the story of white settlement from her people's point of view. It is a legacy to both cultures published during a time that no womenof any race were published. Sarah was a bridge between both cultures, fighting the political battles to ensure her people were treated fairly on the reservations, and setting up several schools for native American children. The city of Winnemucca in Northern Nevada is named for her.
Follow the link to amazon.com to obtain a copy of her book,
2003 nevoldwest.com
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" A land founded on gambling, guns and greed. "