Web Scavenger Hunt #1: California's Indigenous People

Ohlone Indian Ceremonial Dance at Mission San Jose in 1806.  Source: http://www.museumoflocalhistory.org

California's Indigenous People

Subject Matter: Social Studies

Grade Level: Third Grade

Lesson Objective: Learners will be able to share, in detail, the past and present of one of the American Indian tribes in California .

Subject Matter Content Standard: 3.2.1 CONTINUITY AND CHANGE (California Department of Education)

3.2 Students describe the American Indian nations in their local region long ago and in the recent past.

.1  Describe national identities, religious beliefs, customs, and various folklore traditions.

Image Source:  http://www.nahc.ca.gov/lanuage.html

Background: History tells us that before the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 1600s, there were hundreds of small groups of native people living in California, speaking more than 100 different languages.  These American Indians of California lived well within the capacity of their environment and developed unique religious systems, social norms, and commerce within their tribes.  Their story differs from other ethnic groups in California because they were not immigrants to an already inhabited land.  For the indigenous people of California, this region of North America is their home and their history spans more than 10,00 years of occupation.  We will examine some of the websites that will provide you with some background information on the indigenous people of California.  We will explore the customs, culture and environment of California tribes both in the past and the present.

First, select one tribe from the following list:   http://nahc.ca.gov/population.html

Use the following websites to help you answer questions in your scavenger hunt.

• California Indian History - http://www.nahc.ca.gov/califindian.html
• Native American Tribes of California - http://www.native-languages.org/california.htm
• A History of American Indians in California - http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/5views/5views1.htm
• Languages of California, interactive map and tribal information -- http://linguistics.berkeley.edu/~survey/languages/california-languages.php
• California Indian Artifacts:  http://www.kumeyaay.info/indian_artifacts.html
• California Indian Recipes:  http://www.nativetech.org/recipes/listregion.php?pagenum=0&regionid=6

Essential Question: How does the group of native people you studied differ now from the past?

 

Questions

1.  What is the name of the tribe you've chosen to study?

2.  In what region of California are they located?

3.  Describe your tribe prior to the Spanish colonization of Alta California.

    a.  Language

    b.  Environment

    c.  Customs

    d.  Commerce and Trade

    e.  Food

    f.  Religion

4.  Describe your tribe's experience during the California Mission Period and how this affected a-f above.

5.  Describe your tribe today.  Contrast to the pre-colonial era.  What has changed?  What remains the same?

6.  What is your tribe's current population?

7.  Reflect:  Would you like to have been a member of this tribe during the per-colonial era?  Why?

Bonus:  Where is the State Indian Museum Located and what is one exhibit you can expect to see there?

Extra Credit:

Research a food, craft or game from your tribe.

Food:  Bring the food to share at the class powwow on Friday.

http://www.nativetech.org/recipes/listregion.php?pagenum=0&regionid=5

Craft:  Bring a finished craft to show the class on Friday.  Be prepared to share how you did it, and how your methods compare to the tradition of your tribe.

Game:  Be prepared to demonstrate a game from your tribe.