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Links for in-depth research on Native Tribes of California and the U.S.

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American Indian Languages American Indian Culture What's new on our site today!
Welcome to our California State Facts section, part of an educational project designed to provide information about indigenous people in different U.S. states. Follow the links to the right of our tribal map for more information about the language, culture and history of each California tribe, or scroll below the map for California Indian activities including a wordsearch, fact sheets, and words from the Native American languages of California. Feel free to print any of these materials out for classroom use!

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American Indians in California

The original inhabitants of the area that is now California included:
The Achumawi tribe
The Atsugewi tribe
The Cahuilla tribe
The Chemehuevi tribe
The Chilula tribe
The Chimariko tribe
The Chumash tribe
The Cocopah tribe
The Cupeno tribe
The Diegueno (Kumeyaay) tribe
The Esselen tribe
The Gabrielino (Tongva) tribe
The Halchidhoma tribe
The Hupa tribe
The Juaneno tribe
The Karok tribe
The Kashaya tribe
The Kato tribe
The Kawaiisu tribe
The Kitanemuk tribe
The Klamath tribe
The Konkow tribe
The Lassik tribe
The Luiseno tribe
The Maidu tribe
The Mattole tribe
The Miwok tribe
The Modoc tribe
The Mojave tribe
The Mono tribe
The Nisenan tribe
The Nomlaki tribe
The Nongatl tribe
The Northern Paiute tribe
The Ohlone (Costanoan) tribe
The Panamint tribe
The Patwin tribe
The Pomo tribe
The Quechan tribe
The Salinan tribe
The Serrano tribe
The Shasta tribe
The Shoshoni tribe
The Sinkyone tribe
The Southern Paiute tribe
The Tataviam tribe
The Tolowa tribe
The Tubatulabal tribe
The Wailaki tribe
The Wappo tribe
The Washoe tribe
The Whilkut tribe
The Wintu tribe
The Wiyot tribe
The Yana and Yahi tribes
The Yokuts tribe
The Yuki tribe
The Yurok tribe

Teaching and learning activities about California Indians:
Feel free to print these out to use at school!

California Tribes Word Search: Printable puzzle hiding the names of California's Indian tribes.
California Language Greetings: Learn to say "hello" in several Native California languages.
California Native Animals: Learn the Native American names of California animals.
California Indian Facts for Kids: Answers to frequently asked questions about the tribes of California.
We currently have pages for theShoshone,Mojave,Chumash,Hupa,Tongva,Maidu,Miwok,Pomo,Wintu,Northern Paiute,Southern Paiute,Chemehuevi,Cocopah,Cupeno,Luiseno,Quechan,Cahto,Klamath,Modoc,Tolowa,Wailaki,Yuki,Achumawi,Atsugewi,Karok,Wiyot andYurok tribes.
Recommended books about California Native Americans
(Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links)
California Native Peoples:
Introducing California's Native American history and culture to kids.
Native America: California Indians: California Native Americans:
Two more useful books about California Indian tribes for kids.
The California Indians:
History and lifeways of California's Native American peoples.
Handbook of the Indians of California Tribes of California:
Classic anthropological texts on the Native American cultures of California.
The Way We Lived: California Indian Stories, Songs & Reminiscences:
Collection of oral histories from California native tribes.
Surviving Through The Days: Translations of Native California Stories and Songs:
Excellent collection of California Indian literature.
Flutes of Fire: The Indian Languages of California California Indian Languages:
Interesting books about Native California languages.
The Fine Art of California Indian Basketry California Indian Baskets:
Beautiful coffee-table books on the basket art of California Native Americans.
Indians of California: The Changing Image: California Indians and their Environment:
Two good books on the overall history of California Native American tribes.
Digger: The Tragic Fate of the California Indians from the Missions to the Gold Rush
Murder State: California's Native American Genocide
Burnt-Out Fires: California's Modoc Indian War
Indians, Missionaries, and Merchants: The Legacy of Colonial Encounters on the California Frontiers:
Four good history books about the California Indians and their interactions with white settlers.
Grass Games and Moon Races: California Indian Games and Toys:
An interesting book of traditional pastimes in California Indian tribes.
Seaweed, Salmon, and Manzanita Cider: A California Indian Feast:
A book of recipes and essays about California Native American food.
The Heart Is Fire: The World of the Cahuilla Indians of Southern California:
Fascinating mosaic of stories told by five California Indian elders.
Our Home Forever: The Hupa Indians of Northern California:
Excellent history of one California Indian tribe by a Hupa author.

Other resources about American Indian history, culture and society in California state:
California Native American Heritage Commission:
Native organization preserving and protecting California Indian relics and traditions.
California Rural Indian Heath Board:
Providing health care and social services to California Native Indians.
California Nations Indian Gaming Association:
Coalition of tribal governments overseeing the regulation of Indian casinos in California.
California Indian Legal Services:
Native-owned law firm serving California's Indian tribes and tribal members.
Southern California Indian Center:
LA-based intertribal community center.
Indian Tribes in California:
Map of California Indian reservations with background information on each group.
Survey of California Indian Languages:
Information from Berkeley University about the Native languages of California.
A History of American Indians in California:
Articles on California Indian history from the National Park Service.
California Indian Artifact Gallery:
Photographs of California Indian baskets, pottery, and other artifacts from the Kumeyaay Museum.
The Religion of the Indians of California:
Complete e-text of an anthropology book on the native religions of the major tribes of California.
California Native Plant Uses:
Ethnobotany study on the traditional use of flowers, trees, and plants by the native tribes of California.
California Indian Baskets:
California Native baskets and other art for sale online. With many photographs.
Variations on Native Californian Themes:
Guitar adaptations of traditional California Indian music.
California Culture:
California Indian links pages.

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American Indian Languages American Indian Culture What's new on our site today! Welcome to our California State Facts section, part of an educational project designed to provide information about indigenous people in different U.S. states.

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Photographs, maps, and overview of California from the 18th Century to date.

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Overview

At the time of Spanish colonization in the late 1700s, California was home to more than 300,000 native people in more than 200 tribes. Their centuries-old way of life was brought to an end relatively quickly: native Californians soon established regular trading relationships with the Spanish, increasing coastal groups' power and prestige, giving them greater leverage in dealings with inland groups.

By 1860, the state's native population had been reduced to 30,000, decimated by violence, disease, poverty, the influx of gold miners, assimilation, and other historical factors. Just 40 years later, in 1900, this population had plummeted to 20,000.

During the later part of the 20th century, tribes throughout the United States joined in a struggle for Indian rights. A controversial 1987 US Supreme Court decision affirming Native Americans' right to build casinos on reservation lands dramatically changed the economic, political, and social landscapes of California's native peoples.

This theme and its exhibitions were created as part of the California Cultures project.

Read related essays (6):

Just for teachers: lesson plans (1):

About this theme:

"Native Americans" was created by the University of California in 2005 as part of the California Cultures project.

Using this theme:

The text of this theme is available under a Creative Commons CC-BY license. You are free to share and adapt it however you like, provided you provide attribution as follows:

California Cultures: Native Americans curated by University of California, available under a CC BY 4.0 license. © 2011, Regents of the University of California.

Please note that this license applies only to the descriptive copy and does not apply to any and all digital items that may appear.

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At the time of Spanish colonization in the late 1700s, California was home to more than 300,000 native people in more than 200 tribes. Their centuries-old way of life was brought to an end relatively quickly: native Californians soon established regular trading relationships with the Spanish, increasing coastal groups' power and prestige, giving them greater leverage in dealings with inland groups.

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Lesson plan iand activities for Native American History.

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November is National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. Education World offers 12 lessons to help students learn about Native American history and cultures. Included: Activities that involve students in dramatizing folktales, learning new words, preparing traditional foods, and much more!
How did National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month get started? A brief time line illustrates some of the key events on the way to that designation:

At the turn of the 20th century, people began making proposals for a day to honor Native Americans.

In 1914, Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfoot tribe, rode horseback from state to state in the hope of gaining support for a day of tribute.

The following year, Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a member of the Seneca tribe, persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to designate a day of recognition for Native Americans.

New York was the first state to observe American Indian Day in 1916. Over the years, other states followed suit in designating a day to honor Native Americans.

In 1990, President George Bush expanded the celebration for the entire month of November as "National American Indian Heritage Month."

Education World offers a dozen activities to help teachers celebrate and study Native American traditions and cultures! A brief description of each activity is provided below. Click any headline for a complete teaching resource!

Lois Lewis
Education World®
Copyright © 2010, 2015 Education World

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November is National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. Education World offers 12 lessons to help students learn about Native American history and cultures. Included: Activities that involve students in dramatizing folktales, learning new words, preparing traditional foods, and much more! How did National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month get started?

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Fact Cards about over 50 California Native tribes.