| Group: | Mechoopda Maidu Indians |
| Population: | 413 enrolled members[1] |
| Rels: | Christianity, traditional tribal religions |
| Langs: | English, Konkow |
| Related: | 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 NaNmiles 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.
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:
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. Chico is the closest town.[7]