Social Studies Chapter 3, Lesson 1: Tribes of California
Vocabulary: Tribe, Who were the early American Indians in California?Language, Shelter California Indian tribes were different because they were smaller
Indians lived in small villages. Several villages made up each tribe. Some tribes only used villages for a short time because they moved to find food.
California’s 4 Main Geographical Groups of Tribes:- Because the tribes in each group lived in the same type of environment, their lives were alike in many ways. For example they may have eaten the same foods and made the same type of houses and clothes.
1. Northern CoastNatural Resources they used: cedar & redwood trees, fish, & forest animals
Their climate was a lot of rain and cool weather
Their houses were strong
They made tightly woven basket caps, people wrapped themselves in capes or blankets made from animal skins
Names of tribes who lived there Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, Pomo,
& Wiyot.
2. Central Valley and Mountain - biggest group / they had the most land, stayed in the Valleys during the winter/mountains in the summerNatural Resources they used: animals, acorns, berries, seeds, nuts, & fish
Their climate was mild (in the middle - not too hot or too cold)
Their houses were simple
They made simple clothing
Names of tribes who lived there: Miwok, Maidu, & Yokuts 3. Southern CoastNatural Resources they used: fish, deer, rabbits, woodland animals, acorns
Their climate was mild
Their houses were rounded, made of grass (tule)
They made canoes to travel by water, clothing made from grass (tule)
Names of tribes who lived there Chumash, Gabrielino (Tongva)
4. DesertNatural Resources they used: insects, seeds & beans - some lived by the Colorado River & farmed
Their climate was hot & dry
Their houses were simple, made just for shade/to keep the sun off of them
They made baskets
Names of tribes who lived there Mojave, Serrano, & Cahuilla
