California's diverse landscapes include deserts mountains and lush forests Long before European settlers ever came to the area Native tribes had established more than 200 independent nations near California's mountains deserts and shores The landscapes plants and animals differ widely between these areas These differences have helped shape the cultures of the tribes Many members of California's Native Nations still live in these areas today
MAKING HOMES IN CALIFORNIA Thousands of years ago tribes in Northwest California such as the Hupa Natinixwe and Shasta created settlements near rivers and lagoons They traveled by either foot or canoe Northeast California was home to nations such as the Atsugewi and Modoc This area was rich in salmon acorn and deer Northern tribes also gathered obsidian to trade with other communities
Central California was inhabited by tribes such as the Pomo the Maidu the Miwoks and the Yokuts Some tribes lived on the coast while others lived on mountain slopes and in the valleys Food was abundant in these areas Tribe members hunted elk antelope deer and rabbit They created elaborate coiled baskets In Southern California tribes established homes along the coast USEFUL AND BEAUTIFUL Obsidian is natural glass formed from the molten magma in a volcano It comes to Earth's surface in lava flows When obsidian is broken it has a razor sharp edge Native American tribes traditionally used obsidian for arrow points and knife blades They also used it to make other tools as well as decorative and ceremonial objects Today Native Americans continue to produce obsidian artwork and tools The ocean provided plenty of food and some villages became quite prosperous The Chumash lived on the islands and along the shore in communities of up to 1 000 people
Serranos Taaqtams and Kumeyaays lived farther inland where they found plenty of rabbit deer acorns and seeds Some groups such as the Tubatulabal and the Paiute tribes settled in desert areas Because resources were scarce these tribes lived in smaller towns than their neighbors While many Native Americans still live in PERSPECTIVES these same regions others now live elsewhere in the United States They carry their culture with them to TELLING STORIES SINGING SONGS Barbara Levy a member of the Quechan tribe is a modern day storyteller She grew up in southern California's Fort Yuma Indian Reservation She speaks Quechan which is part of the Yuma language family Today she travels to Native American cultural meetings throughout California to tell stories and sing traditional songs their new homes TELLING STORIES California Native Nations had oral traditions that recorded
