Welcome to the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Tribal website!
Yaatu Kootzagwae mee nane’a. Numme Kootzaduka’a numu. Numme ooosabba yaatu Kootzagwae.
Here it is called Kootzagwae. We are the Kootzaduka’a people. We have always been here in Kootzagwae.
We are a Native American tribe living within the transition zone of two vast ecoregions; the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin. The Kootzaduka’a, the southernmost band of the Numu People, have resided in the Mono Lake–Yosemite region since time immemorial. The mountains, forests, deserts, lakes and streams provided for our people. Food, medicine, clothing, shelter and all that we needed was given to us by our Creator.
Historically, the Kootzaduka’a (also spelled Kutzadika’a or Kuzedika in other publications and elsewhere) lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle as they migrated throughout the Mono Lake–Yosemite region following available game and harvesting plants at the appropriate times.
Today, the Kootzaduka’a are working to obtain Federal recognition as a sovereign Native American Tribal Nation and remain steadfast in our goal to achieve recognition and a land base for our people within our traditional homeland.
Our Tribe has a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization, the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a Indian Community Cultural Preservation Association, that is active in all aspects of documenting, preserving and revitalizing our cultural heritage with a variety of projects.
We are one of seven Traditionally Associated Tribes of Yosemite National Park. We consult with the park on a variety of ongoing projects.
Please have a look at our website and explore our content. We also have a fact sheet about our Tribe.