California Indians

SPAIN SETTLED in California much later than in Texas, due to its location farther north and west than the other territories. Hundreds of thousands of Native Americans speaking well over 100 different languages called the region home, some for as long as 10,000 years. Limited from contact with the native people of the Southwest and the Plains due to mountains, desert, and distance, California’s native population lived a different kind of life. California was a paradise with temperate weather and plentiful food—fish could be found in the

Ocean, lakes, and rivers, and edible plants were abundant.

For people like the Chumash, life revolved around the sea, particularly the channel islands near Santa Barbara, although they occasionally traveled to the mountains to gather acorns and pinon nuts. The Chumash felt a strong affinity for the ocean. Early Chumash rock paintings often included images of the dolphin. They became expert at building boats, which they used for travel along the coast or riding with the dolphins.

When not gathering food or making boats, the Chumash lived in domed houses made of willow and reinforced with whalebone. The name Chumash is believed to mean “bead-maker” or “seashell people,” but to the Chumash they were the “first people.” The Chumash were not a single nation, but actually 75 to 100 communities who spoke one of at least four related languages.

Sadly, European diseases attacked and killed so many that the Chumash were forced to seek help from the Spanish missions.

California’s Wappo lived a little farther inland than the Chumash, and they depended upon the Napa River for their livelihood. Living in pole houses in large villages, this hunter-gatherer tribe made their spears and sharp points from obsidian, a type of glass made from the lava of volcanoes. They often used clamshell beads as money to buy things. The Wappo were recognized for their basketry skills. Not only were the beautiful baskets decorated with clam shells and abalone, but they could also hold water.

California was a big land, and not all native people lived by the ocean. Other people, such as the Modoc and Shasta, made their homes in the mountains, where they hunted all types of animals.