Wopumnes
Art, history and nature conservancy
This is the official site of the Historic Nisenan and Mewuk Shingle Springs Indians of El Dorado County.
Who we are...
The Wopumnes Nisenan and Mewuk Heritage Preservation Society of El Dorado County is an IRS Tax Exempt Nonprofit EIN 83-2671897 and can receive donations from the public. The nonprofit was established in 2018 by decendants of the historic gold rush Nisenan and Mewuks of the Wopumnes Tribe, signers of Consumnes River Treaty of 1851. The Tribe has a long, well documented history in El Dorado County with members of the Tribe appearing in every El Dorado County US Census since 1852. The historic Wopumnes Tribe was also talked about in by John Sutter in his Diaries, with individual members mentioned by name and noted as helping build Sutter's Mill. John Sutter called the Wopumnes the "Shingle Springs Indians" for bringing Salt and Cedar Shingles from the region known today as the town of Shingle Springs. In 1870, the Sacramento Daily Union documented that their Cheif Charlie called a Pow-wow from many miles to their village in Shingle Springs. There is another story of Rosa, a young Nisenan child was taken in by the Pollock family of Pollock Pines around the same time and later married John Craig who lived next door to their property. The Wopumnes were Federally documented by Special BIA Agents CE Kelsey in 1906 and John Terrell in 1915 as being "of Nisenan and Miwok stock in El Dorado County". Again the Tribe qualified for BIA cards in the 1928 California Indian Jurisdiction Act and their Chief Charlie Padilla lead the "indians from many counties" to sue the Federal Government to enforce support of the California Indians. This action created the the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, in which family of Chief Charlie Padilla, "Resident" to Shingle Springs Rancheria are recorded as voting in as resident representatives.
You can find over 22 articles about the Wopumnes in the Mt. Democrat from 2018 - 2022. The Tribe, is an off reservation Tribe and operates publically in their entire territory of El Dorado County. The Tribe sponsors events open to the public to preserve and teach Native American Culture, Dance and Art. Just in 2021 the Wopumnes sponsored the California Native American Dedication at the Gold Country Fair featuring the Sacramento Pow-wow dancers along with the Wopumnes Tribe's own WhoopAxe Tomahawk Throw and; Christmas at the Nisenan Village at the Marshall-Gold Discovery State Park. In 2022, the Wopumnes sponsored Earth Day at the Nisenan Village at MGD, the Nisenan Village at the Old West SteamPunk Festival, the Wagon Train Encore Party on Placerville Drive, and two long awaited projects the "Native Interpretive Garden at Marshal-Gold" and Sierra Monarch and Pollinator Rescue Flyway project.
That's not all! The Tribe also does Tribal Monitoring of Construction Sites, surveys and catalogs archeological sites, gives talks around the county, protects environmental and historical sites with Conservation Easements, and sponsors events so that American Indians from all Tribes and non-native supporters can have an opportunity to meet the public and show their crafts.
The Tribe does all this with donations from its supporters. You can help out today by donating to this non-profit.
DOJ Charitable Organization Status:
Services we provide the Community!
We survey historic and environmental sites for preservation and study.
Do you have interesting features on your property that you think would be important to Nisenan Indian culture and history? Special habitats that have animals and plants you'd like catalogued. Are you interested in the benefits and tax advantages of a Conservation Easement? Use the contact form and explain to us what you are interested in us taking a look at.
We Sponsor Events
ç Use the contact form and explain to us what you are interested in us taking a look at..
We have programs for all ages...
Photos from our events
The Wopumnes Tribe, Nisenan and Mewuk Indians of El Dorado County, their events and supporters.
Events and programs
The Wopumnes Nisenan and Mewuk Heritage Preservation Society of El Dorado County is an IRS Tax Exempt Nonprofit EIN 83-2671897 an can receive donations from the public. The Tribe's 501c3 sponsors events and programs open to the public to preserve and teach Native American Culture, Dance, Art and to protect envionmental habitats.
In 2021 the Wopumnes sponsored the California Native American Dedication at the Gold Country Fair featuring the Sacramento Pow-wow dancers along with the Wopumnes Tribe's own WhoopAxe Tomahawk Throw and; Christmas at the Nisenan Village at the Marshall-Gold Discovery State Park. In 2022, the Wopumnes sponsored Earth Day at the Nisenan Village at MGD, the Nisenan Village at the Old West SteamPunk Festival, the Wagon Train Encore Party on Placerville Drive, and started two long awaited projects the "Native Interpretive Garden at Marshall-Gold Discovery State Park" and the Sierra Monarch and Pollinator Rescue Flyway project.
November 19, 2022: Garden preparation at the Nisenan Village behind the oomachas for planting in 2023.
Wagon Train Encore Party, Placerville Dr. June 11, 2022
Wagon Train Day, Pollock Pines, June 10, 2022
Apple Hill Lavender-Blue Festival at Bluestone Farms June 19-20 and 25-26
Old West Steampunk Festival, May 21, 22, 2022
Earth Day April 20, 2022 at Marshall-Gold State Park
The Tribe does all this with donations from its supporters. You can help out today by donating to this non-profit.
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