Death Valley Timbisha Shoshone Reservation of California

A small 40 acre Reservation was set aside at Death Valley in 1936 for the Timbisha Shoshone who are really Ojibwa. In 1908, with the support of chief Rocky Boy, Hungry Bill was patented 160 acres in a canyon bordering Death Valley. American leaders knew Ojibwa's confined themselves to higher elevations adjacent to Death Valley to avoid the extreme heat at Death Valley during most of the year. There are several locations with small plateaus adjacent to Death Valley. Some have elevations of 4,000 feet above sea level to over 6,000 feet above sea level. Ojibwa's were content living at those locations. On the west of Death Valley the mountains have trees while on the east the mountains appear treeless. Ojibwa's certainly favored the high plateau's adjacent to Death Valley on the west. Summer maximums are up to 30 degrees cooler. Instead of a July maximum average of 116, at 6,000 feet above sea level it's near 85 or the low 80's. According to 19th century author Andrew Blackbird, the Chippewa Language was extensively spoken among the Shoshone People which means the Shoshone are Chippewa. Click here to read Blackbirds "History of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan." Click on READ EBOOK. Read page 89 in Chapter 11. That same page also has information on the Ottawa's (the Shawnee Ojibwa's) migrating west to join the Shoshone.

Panamint Tom was native to Panamint Valley which is on the west side of the mountains that seperate Panamint Valley from Death Valley. Panamint Tom used the resources at Panamint Valley and planted over 150 fruit trees. Probably orange trees if Panamint Valley is warm enough! His orchard was destoyed by an 1897 flood. We know Ojibwa People were set aside a Reservation adjacent to Death Valley in 1908. Chief Rocky Boy took action for them. After Hungry Bill was patented 160 acres, another Shawnee Ojibwa named Robert Thompson was allotted land very near Furnace Creek or Warm Springs. Persuading Ojibwa's to relocate from the higher elevations was not at all easy. Before whites invaded the Death Valley region, Ojibwa's took advantage of springs at Death Valley to grow crops. Then whites found a way to utilize Death Valley by mining borax. That process did not last. Luring Ojibwa's down to the valley was almost impossible. Summer heat was extreme. Often highs reached the 120's and 130's which to anyone is intolerable. Leaving Death Valley was the only solution. Spending a few months at Death Valley where Furnace Creek is was pleasant. After the short winters up to the higher elevations they went. American leaders refused to honor original treaty and schemed to relocate Ojibwa's out of Death Valley. To do that meant luring them down to Death Valley from their homes located high up on the mountains. Even Panamint Valley is very hot during summers. Panamint Valley is 30 miles west of Furnace Creek. Most Ojibwa's lived high up on the mountains where a supply of trees existed and remote springs provided water. Chief Rocky Boy's Rancheria or Reservation was located where Panamint Valley is.

In 1928, a Rancheria was set aside east of Death Valley for Panamint Bill. However, we know American leaders set aside a Rancheria for chief Rocky Boy in 1908. We have to follow evidence along a trail as prophesy instructs. The name of the Rancheria established in 1928 was Indian Ranch. American leaders knew of Death Valley and considered the land useless. A large Ojibwa Reservation was set aside at Death Valley in either 1850 or 1851. Luring Ojibwa's down to Death Valley was a long process. After reaching Death Valley most left for other nearby Reservations with much cooler summers. Even in the 1930's Ojibwa's continued to hide out on the mountains on each side of Death Valley.

Death Valley National Monument was created in 1933. That is when the whites increased their efforts to relocate the Timbisha Shoshone. By 1938, the Timbisha Shoshone reached an agreement with the United States to allow the Civilian Conservation Corps to construct homes for the Timbisha Shoshone. Today, the settlement is known as Furnace Creek and Indian Village. They could no longer live high up on the mountains. As mentioned, most left for other nearby Reservations where summers are much cooler. American leaders would not allow them to remain at their homes high up on the mountains. Before whites invaded, most Ojibwa's lived high up on the mountains between Death Valley and Panamint Valley and were content. When winter arrived they made their way down to Death Valley and Panamint Valley. A difference of perhaps 1,500 feet in elevation. Winters are mild at both locations. On the east side of Death Valley from Furnace Creek and to the south, is a rather high mountain valley or plateau with elevations from under 4,000 feet above sea level to well over 4,000 feet above sea level. It's abount 15 miles from north to south and 5 miles from east to west. It possibly had the largest Ojibwa Population. However, there's a lack of trees there. They'd have to make their way across Death Valley to obtain trees for their homes. At one time both mountain ranges were covered by a dense forest. Reason for a lack of trees on the mountains east of Death Valley was the large Ojibwa Population living throughout the extensive mountain valley or plateau. About 1,000 to 3,000 years ago the location was thriving with activity. Perhaps 5,000 to over 10,000 Ojibwa's lived there. In the 1930's they were still living there. Then they were forced down to Death Valley. That they strongly objected to. Who could blame them!