Southern Paiute

people

Also known as: Chemehuevi

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

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The Southern Paiute are a group of American Indians who speak a language of the Numic branch of the Uto-Aztecan family. Historically, they inhabited areas of present-day southern Utah, northwestern Arizona, southern Nevada, and southeastern California. They are also known as the Chemehuevi.

Traditionally, the Southern Paiute were hunter-gatherers, subsisting on seeds, pine nuts, and small game. Many also cultivated small gardens. They lived in temporary brush shelters and created baskets for food gathering and preparation. Despite facing encroachment and relocation to reservations by the U.S. government in the 19th century, many Southern Paiute were able to remain on their ancestral lands by working on ranches or living near new settlements, experiencing relatively little conflict with settlers and the military.1

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Indigenous peoples of the Great Basin
Language
…of Ute (self-name Nuche) and Southern Paiute groups including the Chemehuevi. The distinction between Southern Paiute and Ute is cultural rather than linguistic; Ute speakers who had horses in the early historic period are regarded as Ute, and those who did not readily adopt horses are regarded as Southern Paiute.
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…of Ute (self-name Nuche) and Southern Paiute groups including the Chemehuevi. The distinction between Southern Paiute and Ute is cultural rather than linguistic; Ute speakers who had horses in the early historic period are regarded as Ute, and those who did not readily adopt horses are regarded as Southern Paiute.
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Paiute
The Southern Paiute, who speak Ute, at one time occupied what are now southern Utah, northwestern Arizona, southern Nevada, and southeastern California, the latter group being known as the Chemehuevi. Although encroached upon and directed into reservations by the U.S. government in the 19th century, the…
Read More
The Southern Paiute, who speak Ute, at one time occupied what are now southern Utah, northwestern Arizona, southern Nevada, and southeastern California, the latter group being known as the Chemehuevi. Although encroached upon and directed into reservations by the U.S. government in the 19th century, the…
Read More