Yuki in United States

Yuki
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People Name: Yuki
Country: United States
10/40 Window: No
Population: 1,300
World Population: 1,300
Primary Language: English
Primary Religion: Christianity
Christian Adherents: 70.00 %
Evangelicals: 1.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Ministry Resources: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: North American Indigenous
Affinity Bloc: North American Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Yuki refers to four First Nation tribes who lived near the coast of northwestern California. They spent their time hunting wild game, fishing for salmon in rivers and collecting acorns for their staple food. Their homeland was nicknamed “Round Valley.”

Their first encounter with Westerners was in 1833. Hudson's Bay Company sent a fur trading party led by Michael Laframboise, and it peacefully passed through the Yuki territory. White Americans did not return for another 21 years. Round Valley was declared an Indian Reservation in 1856, but by that time miners, ranchers and settlers were already there. Americans helped the Yuki set up a farm on the reservation, but farming was not part of the Yuki tradition. From the late 1850s to the early 1860s there were battles between the Americans and the Yuki tribes. This eventually led to a near genocide against the Yuki people, and their population today is only in the hundreds.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Yuki languages and culture were purged to make way for the English language and Christianity. As tribal leaders die, knowledge of their culture dies with them. The Yuki languages and culture will probably not last through the end of the 21st century.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most of the Yuki people profess to be Christians.

What Are Their Needs?

The Yuki peoples need the chance to find a relationship with Jesus Christ while embracing their culture.

Prayer Points

Pray for culturally sensitive disciples to take Christ to the Yuki peoples using their own music and cultural expressions.

Pray for a vibrant and Christ-centered Yuki church.

Text Source:   Joshua Project