Abstract:
Throughout history, the Northern Paiute people have continuously been subjected to both racism
and prejudice. This prejudice came from both the arrival of Euro-American colonizers and other
Native American tribes in the area. Since the 19th century, the dominant portrayal of the Paiute
people has remained unchanged. From primary documents such as letters, to the work of early
historians such as Bancroft, to recent accounts from modern authors, a negative image of the
Northern Paiute has been passed down. Modern authors and historians use the same language as
the early settlers, and call the Paiutes the “Snake Indians”, a derogatory term that is both
insulting and unacceptable to the tribe. This unfair portrait of the Paiute people must be changed,
and modern historians and authors may be unintentionally reporting a biased history.