Sara Winnemuca

Of the Shoshonean tribe of Paviotsos, also called Paiutes, Sara Winnemucca was a peacemaker, official interpreter, teacher, writer, and advocate for Native Americans. Her 1883 autobiographical book, Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims, articulated the injustices experienced by her displaced peoples. In 1884, Winnemucca founded the Peabody School for Native American children near Lovelock, Nevada, where children were taught in their own language but also learned English. The curriculum included the study of Native American history and culture. The school was closed after four years for lack of government funding.