The Nisenan are a Native American tribe originally from the region that is now known as California. They primarily inhabited the area around the Sacramento Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills. The Nisenan people traditionally relied on local resources for their sustenance, including fishing, hunting, and gathering plants. Historically, the Nisenan faced significant challenges due to European colonization and the Gold Rush in the mid-19th century. These events led to a decline in their population and disruption of their traditional way of life. Today, efforts are being made to preserve and revitalize Nisenan culture and heritage.