The Wailaki Indians belonged to the Athapascan linguistic stock and to the southern California group.
Wailaki Indians. A Wintun word meaning “north language,” applied to other Wintun groups and to some foreign groups. Also called: Kak’-wits, Yuki name, meaning “northern people.”
Location
On Eel River from the Lassik territory to the Big Bend, several affluents on the west side, Kekawaka Creek on the east side, and the whole of the North Fork except the head.
Subdivisions and Village Communities
On main Eel River: Sehlchikyo-kaiya, on the east side, Big Bend Creek to McDonald Creek. Ninkannich-kaiya, opposite Sehlchikyo-kaiya. Nehlchikyo-kaiya, on the east side downstream to the mouth of North Fork. Sehlchikyo-kaiya, on the east side downstream. Tatisho-kaiya, on the west side.
Opposite the mouth of North Fork. Bas-kaiya, on the east side below Sehlchikyo-kaiya. Sla-kaiya, on the east side below Bas-kaiya. Chisko-kaiya, on the east side below Sla-kaiya. Seta-kaiya, on the west side below Tatisho-kaiya. Kaikiche-kaiya, on the west side below Seta-kaiya. Dahlso-kaiya, Set’ahlchicho-kaiya, K’andang-kaiya, in order downstream on the west side. Ihikodang-kaiya, on the west side below Chisko-kaiya. Kasnaikot-kaiya, on the east side at the mouth of Kakawaka Creek.
On the lower part of North Fork: Setandong-kiyahang, Secho-kiyahang, Kaiye-kiyahangin order upstream.
Higher up North Fork: T’odannang-kiyahang, on the North Fork below Hull Creek. T’okyah-kiyahang, upstream on North Fork. Chokot-kiyahang, on and above Red Mountain Creek. Ch’i’ankot-kiyahang, on Jesus Creek.
Population
The Wailaki were estimated by Kroeber (1925) as 1,000 about 1770; they were given as 227 in the census of 1910. (See Bear River Indians.)