Mechoopda

Mechoopda Maidu Indians
	19th century photograph of Mechoopda women and children
Total population
	413 enrolled members
Regions with significant populations
	California
Languages
	English, Konkow
Religion
	Christianity, traditional tribal religions
Related ethnic groups
	other Maidu people

The Mechoopda are a tribe of Maidu people, an Indigenous people of California. They are enrolled in the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, a federally recognized tribe. Historically, the tribe has spoken Konkow, a language related to the Maidu language, and as of 2010, has created digital learning materials from old recordings of Emma Cooper, made during the 1940s as a part of the war effort.^[2]

The tribe was formerly centered in a village located about 3+1⁄2 miles (5.6 km) south of contemporary Chico, California.^[3] The Tribe was terminated in 1967, losing its 26-acre Chico Rancheria. Today, approximately one-half of the old Chico Rancheria is now owned by California State University, Chico (CSUC). The 11-acre university-owned portion of the former reservation is used by CSUC's agriculture, anthropology, and archaeology students.^[4]

The Mechoopda regained federal recognition in 1992.

Government

The Mechoopda Indian Tribe ratified their constitution on 1 February 1998. The tribe is governed by a seven-member council.^[1] The current administration is as follows:

Tribal Chairman: Dennis Ramirez
Vice Chairperson: Sandra Knight:
Treasurer: He-Lo Ramirez
Secretary: Roberta Lewis
Member-at-Large: Barbara Rose
Member-at-Large: Isaiah Meders
Member-at-Large: Jenny Atkins^[5]

Reservation

The Chico Ranchería is a federal reservation located in Butte County. The population of the tribe is 560;^[6] the population on the ranchería is approximately 70.^{[citation needed]} Chico is the closest town.^[7]