FRANK LAPENA

- FRANK LAPENA (TAUHANDAULI) -

Nomtipom-Wintu, 1937–2019

Frank Raymond LaPena, also known as Frank LaPeña and by his Wintu name Tauhindauli, was a Nomtipom-Wintu American Indian painter, printmaker, ethnographer, professor, ceremonial dancer, poet, and writer. He taught at California State University, Sacramento, between 1975 and 2002. LaPena helped defined a generation of Native artists in a revival movement to share their experiences, traditions, culture, and ancestry.

LaPena started teaching at Shasta College, from 1969 to 1971. LaPena taught at California State University, Sacramento within the art department and ethnic studies department, and serving as the director of the Native American studies department, between 1975 and 2002. He lectured on traditional and cultural Native American issues, which included the California traditions.

In 1970, he was part of the Maidu Dancers and Traditionalists group, as a founding member, ceremonial dancer and instructor. He had notable students, including Harry Fonseca.

LaPena's contributions about the Wintu were included in the seminal book, Handbook of North American Indians Volume 8: California (1978). He was frequent contributor to the journal, News from Native California, between the late-1980s until the 2000s.