Entire Dictionaries Online: Paiute and Mojave Language Now Accessible
This resource helps to strengthen cultural connections within local Indigenous communities
LAS VEGAS (August 18, 2025) –Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas has announced the online publication of an 1891 English-Paiute language dictionary and a circa 1891 English-Mojave language dictionary. With the financial support of Robert A. Stoldal, the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas partnered with the Springs Preserve, Southern Paiute Language Group, Nevada State Library, Archives, and Public Records, and other Paiute and Fort Mojave partners to steward the digitization, description, and accessibility of these historically important pieces of local cultural heritage.
Over 130 years old, these dictionaries capture the spelling and translations of words within the Paiute and Mojave languages, and contain written Paiute names, titles, geographical place names, and songs. For example, the Paiute dictionary contains translations for the areas of Lincoln County, El Dorado Canyon, the Sheep Mountains, and an area north of the Techatticup Mine. In consultation with local Paiute and Fort Mojave tribal partners, it was expressed that access to these dictionaries would help strengthen cultural connections within local Indigenous communities, as today’s generation would be enabled and empowered to connect with written practices from over a century ago.
“The dictionary speaks to how Indigenous peoples have interacted with these local areas and each other since time immemorial and deepens our understanding of our local and regional histories, garnering pride in what it means to be a Nevadan,” said Kassidy Whetstone, Curator of Library, Manuscripts, and Photographs of the Cahlan Research Library at the museum.
Providing digital access to these materials not only allows for the prolonged preservation of the contents within the dictionaries, but also allows for wider cultural connections to be fostered through the preserved spelling and language translations of the dictionaries. In addition, providing remote digital access promotes equitable opportunities for anyone to access and learn from the materials.
“No longer does an individual have to physically come into the library to see these materials; the contents can be accessed from the comforts of their own home, wherever that may be,” Kassidy added. “It is the goal of this project to foster deeper cultural understanding and unity within our local Nevada and regional communities, and these dictionaries represent an irreplaceable piece of our cultural heritage.”
In addition, as part of the mission of preserving history, the Friends of Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas are currently fundraising for a Ute Saddle Bag, circa 1870.
“As we continue to identify gaps in our collection and set new collecting priorities, we have discovered that the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas currently does not own any Ute material,” said Josef Diaz, Curator of History and Material Culture. “The story of Nevada goes beyond modern day state lines and we must remember that neighboring Indigenous people are part of the history of Nevada and the greater American Southwest,” he added.
The Ute and Southern Paiute Indians are descended from the same group of Numic-speaking hunter-gatherers that began migrating east from southern California around A.D. 1000. Their once-shared language eventually diverged into the modern Ute and Southern Paiute languages. The fact that the two languages are mutually intelligible suggests that the split might have occurred relatively recently, that is, hundreds, rather than thousands, of years ago.
Historically, the two groups shared similar, but not identical, hunter-gatherer lifestyles. The Southern Paiutes were more adapted to the desert environment of Nevada, southern Utah, and northern Arizona, while their Ute cousins historically inhabited parts of Nevada, along with other areas like Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Arizona. While they have a significant presence in Utah and Colorado, the Utes’ territory reached the Great Basin region, including parts of Nevada. They were known as nomadic bands, traveling for ceremonies, trade, and hunting.
The museum is currently seeking to acquire a pair of saddlebags constructed out of a brain-tanned hide, fringed at either side. The bags were beaded with sinew-sewn seed beads, consisting of duplicate panels. The motif has two blue diamonds framed with white and vertical chevron black lines followed by yellow bead work. They are approximately 48” tall and 14” wide and valued at $12,500 and held by a private collector.
If anyone is interested in donating to the fundraiser to acquire this artifact for the State of Nevada and our residents and visitors, they can donate two ways:
- Go to nsmlv.org; click on DONATE icon; follow steps
- Mail a check to: Friends of NSMLV, 309 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas NV 89107
The fundraising campaign will run until September 1. All donors of $500 or more will have their names engraved on a permanent honorarium to be mounted with the saddlebags in the museum.
About the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas
Founded in 1982, the mission of the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, serves to educate a diverse public about the history and natural history of Nevada. The museum collects, preserves, exhibits, and disseminates material that contributes to an understanding and appreciation of the state. For more information, visit https://www.lasvegasnvmuseum.org/
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Nevada State Museum Media Contact:
Francine Burge
Marketing & Communications Manager, Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs
(775) 230-5258 | fburge@dtca.nv.gov
Las Vegas Media Contact:
Lauren Hudman
Elle Marketing
(702) 283-1414 | lauren@ellemktg.com