Sarah Winnemucca Native American Author Leader Poster

Author of the first published autobiography by a Native American woman. Her Paiute name was Thocmetony (or Tocmetoni), which means "shellflower". She was the daughter of Chief Winnemucca and the granddaughter of Chief Truckee. She served as the main interpreter and negotiator between her people and the U.S. Army. In 1883 she wrote an autobiography, Life among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims. It is an invaluable source that documented her people. She started several Native American schools, which taught both in English and the Paiute language and gave over 300 speeches to win support for her people. Tribal elder Majorie Dupee said, Winnemucca's brave life helps us "hold to our pride."