Winnemucca, Sarah (1840–1891)

Sarah Winnemucca was the granddaughter of Chief Truckee, a Paiute chief, and daughter of Chief Winnemucca, a shaman, and Tuboitony, Chief Truckee's daughter. She was a princess of the tribe at birth and became a spokesperson for the tribe and American Indians in general in the late 19th century. Both Chiefs Truckee and Winnemucca pursued a peace policy with the white settlers who swarmed through the Humbolt Sink, Pyramid Lake, and California, traditional Paiute ground. Sarah would continue to pursue peace and the interests of the Paiute people throughout her life.

Early in life, she experienced the terror of Indianhunting whites who were seeking the extermination of all Indians, as well as the generosity of white settlers who traded with and befriended tribal members. Sarah was ...