Nevada Tribes

Nevada is home to the Great Basin Tribes of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Newe (Western Shoshone), Nuwu (Southern Paiute) and the Wašiw (Washoe). These communities are comprised of 28 separate reservations, bands, colonies, and community councils.

  • There are 574 federally-recognized Indian tribes, bands, nations, rancherias, communities and Native villages in the United States.
  • Nevada is home to the Great Basin Tribes of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Newe (Western Shoshone), Nuwu (Southern Paiute) and Wašiw (Washoe) as well as the Mojave Peoples which includes Ft. Mojave and the Pipa Aha Macav. In Nevada, there are 20 federally recognized tribes, comprised of 28 separate reservations, bands, colonies, and community councils.
  • Nevada has 62,000 Urban Indians.
  • More than 200 tribal languages are still spoken. These languages are cultural traditions and are extremely important as more than 4 million Americans self-identify as either American Indian or Alaska Native.
  • Tribal land base in Nevada amounts to over 1.6 million acres.
  • 97% of Nevada’s Tribal Nations are rural.

What is Tribal Sovereignty?

  • Sovereignty refers to the right of American Indians and Alaska Natives to govern themselves. This right is granted in the U.S. Constitution – although it was an inherent right that existed before the Constitution was framed.
  • This sovereignty includes the right to establish their own form of government, enact legislation and establish law enforcement and court systems, among other things.
Baskets sit on the ground in a dry grass setting.

Resilience: Voices of Basket Weaving in the Great Basin

Learn more about and watch the trailer for Resilience: Voices of Basket Weaving in the Great Basin, an original @One, University Libraries documentary. The film explores the art of Native American basketry-its history, living practice, and future-through the voices of contemporary weavers, museum curators, and Indigenous artists.

Community Resources

Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada

Nevada Indian Commission

Nevada Urban Indians

Map of Nevada tribes

Our staff

Indigenous Relations
Daphne Emm Hooper
Daphne Emm Hooper
Director of Indigenous Relations
(775) 682-7614
daphnehooper@unr.edu
TB 102
6949
Indigenous Relations
Sequoyah Pollard
Sequoyah Pollard
Project Manager, Native Nations Center
(775) 682-5049
sjpollard@unr.edu
TB 102
6949
Indigenous Relations
Nathan Strong
Nathan Strong
Strategic Planning & Economic Development Program Coordinator
(775) 682-6760
nathanstrong@unr.edu
RH
6949
Indigenous Relations
Jamiika P. Thomas
Jamiika P. Thomas
Tribal Academy Program Coordinator
(775) 682-6291
Jamiikat@unr.edu
RH TB102
6949
Indigenous Relations
Emily Underwood
Emily Underwood
Manager, Indigenous Relations
(775) 682-6065
emilyunderwood@unr.edu
TB 102
6949
Indigenous Relations
Gaylene Williams
Gaylene Williams
Tribal Academy Program Coordinator
(775) 682-6432
Gaylenew@unr.edu
RH TB 102
6949

Native staff and faculty

The Native staff and faculty listserv was created to provide support, spread awareness, and share events and opportunities to strengthen the Indigenous community across campus. Staff and faculty who want to gain more information are encouraged to join the listserv.

Check out additional Affinity Groups that are open to all University faculty and staff who wish to participate in them.