Between 1830 and 1833, many Wintu died from a malaria epidemic that killed an estimated 75% of the indigenous population in the upper and central Sacramento Valley.

In 1846, John C. Frémont and Kit Carson accompanied by local white settlers killed several hundred Wintu in the Sacramento River massacre.

At a "friendship feast" in 1850, settlers served poisoned food to local natives, from which 100 Nomsuu and 45 Wenemem Wintu died.

The last group, the Waymuq, are recorded to be a transitional unit in both culture, language, and society between the Wintu-speaking peoples and the Shastan-speakers.

The Waymuq are also seen to be the same group that have been recorded under the name Okwanuchu (meaning "Distant people" in the Shasta language) by some anthropologists and linguists.

They are said to have occupied the region north of Salt and Nosoni Creek and extending northwards to the southern base of Mt.

One anthropologist, C. Hart Merriam, also recorded a group of Northern Wintu people who lived along the South Fork of the Trinity River under the Athabaskan name "Ni-i-che".

When villages had extra food, they would sometimes invite neighboring tribes to feast, dance, and play games.

Due to competition for resources, forced labor, disease, and other factors the Wintu tribes' population decreased.

Today the population has recovered somewhat and there are about 2,500 Wintun, many of whom live on the Round Valley Reservation, and on the Colusa, Cortina, Grindstone Creek, Redding, and Rumsey rancherias.

They explain that their mission is to preserve, promote and protect the culture of the tribe, creating long-term economic prosperity and self-reliance.

Current tribal council members consist of Gary and Theresa Rickard, Vincent Cervantes, Gene Malone, Cindy Hogue, Bill Hunt, and Les Begly.

They have a Museum and Cultural Resource Center that was built after they lost their recognition status by the federal government.