Cucunuchi, baptized as Estanislao, was an indigenous alcalde of Mission San José and a member and leader of the Lakisamni tribe of the Yokuts people of northern California. He is famous for leading bands of armed Native Americans in revolt against the Mexican government and Mission establishments.
Present-day Stanislaus River was the home of many Native-American tribes. During the Mexican-era, it was known as "Río de los Laquisimes"
The Yokuts are an ethnic group of Native Americans native to central California. Before European contact, the Yokuts consisted of up to 60 tribes speaking several related languages. Yokuts is both plural and singular; Yokut, while common, is erroneous. 'Yokut' should only be used when referring specifically to the Tachi Yokut Tribe of Lemoore. Some of their descendants prefer to refer to themselves by their respective tribal names; they reject the term Yokuts, saying that it is an exonym invented by English-speaking settlers and historians. Conventional sub-groupings include the Foothill Yokuts, Northern Valley Yokuts, and Southern Valley Yokuts.
Chukchansi Yokuts woman, photo by Edward Curtis, 1924
A Chukchansi (then spelled "Chuckachancy") family near Oakhurst, California. ca.1920
Mariposa Indian Encampment Yosemite Valley California, by Albert Bierstadt
Chukchansi (then spelled "Chuck Chance") in Coarsegold, California. ca.1900