Our Culture

Welcome to Hoopa

The Hoopa people call themselves Na:tinixwe which means “people of the place where the trails return”.  Because of the remoteness of the lands inhabited by the Hoopa people, the contact period with non-Indians in this region was much later than other Native people in California and was largely due to the Gold Rush that started in 1849.  The culture and traditions of the Hoopa people have remained intact and are still a part of their everyday lives.  The world renewal dances, the White Deerskin Dance and Jump Dance are held bi-yearly.

The Hoopa language is part of the Athabaskan ethnolinguistic group and is being revitalized with the language being taught in the local schools.  The Hoopa people are known for their intricate basketry and elkhorn carvings.  Xontah, (houses) were made of cedar planks and were permanent structures. The area provided plentiful food and the main food staples include deer, elk, salmon, eels, acorns, mushrooms and berries which are still enjoyed today by the community.

Oral traditional stories have been handed down generation after generation and storytelling are still used to teach the merits of living an honorable life. Today, the Hoopa Tribe holds two cultural camps in the summer; Acorn camp for girls and Warrior camp for boys to ensure that traditions and culture are passed down to the next generation.

Learn more about the Hoopa Valley Tribe.

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Photo courtesy of Bradley Marshall
Photo courtesy of Bradley Marshall
Photo courtesy of Bradley Marshall