Nuwuvi : a southern Paiute history

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8 Nuwuvi: A Southern Paiute History the Mohave Desert of southern California. On the north, the boundary between the Nuwuvi and Shoshones ran northeast from Death Valley to Utah, north of the Needle Mountain Range. Within this large area were many bands of Nuwuvi which varied greatly in size. Most Nuwuvi lived in small family groups or by themselves if they were unmarried. These groups normally lived by a spring or on land near a stream. Each considered the land and spring to be their own, and although they might not live there the entire year, they returned to the site regularly. Some of these extended families were large enough to be a separate band who lived closely together near the best farmland or biggest springs, but owned a much larger territory in common. Most families, although living apart, considered themselves part of a larger band. These bands were set off from the other Nuwuvi by closer ties such as came through regular visits or cooperative hunting and gathering expeditions, shared territory, or sometimes, a slightly different dialect. As whites began to invade Nuwuvi lands in larger and larger numbers, the Nuwuvi were forced to congregate in bigger groups. At this point the bands became more clearly defined. It became necessary for more of the Nuwuvi to cooperate in order to survive. Many of these new groups were centered around one or more influential or powerful individuals. The Nuwuvi had always looked to certain men with special respect. Their powers and responsibilities had normally been limited to such cooperative projects as leading and directing a hunt. After the whites came, men like Tutsegavit, Toquer, Awanap, Kanarra, Toshoap, and Taugu gained greater influence, sometimes because whites used them to try and gain control over the Nuwuvi, but usually because they were able to help their people in times of great need. The Nuwuvi remained, however, an independent and individualistic people. No leader had unquestionable power, and any could easily be removed from even limited power if his band grew dissatisfied with him. The leader's increased influence was always only a temporary development which arose out of the traditionally loose cooperation of the original bands. Of the many bands of various sizes, nineteen were most important. Furthest east were the San Juan Nuwuvi who lived south and east of the Colorado River in what is now the northern part of