Indigenous peoples of California

Indigenous Peoples of California

Indigenous peoples of California, also called Indigenous Californians or Native Californians, are many different groups who lived in the area now known as California. Today, there are 109 federally recognized tribes in the state.

Most tribes used careful methods to help their food grow and keep the land healthy. Evidence shows people have lived in California for thousands of years.

Today, Native Californians work to protect their cultures, lands, and important places. California is also learning from Native peoples' knowledge to help protect the environment.

Tribes and Lands

Many tribes in California have lands that go past the state borders. Some tribes near Nevada are called Great Basin tribes. Tribes near the Oregon border are called Plateau tribes. Tribes in Baja California that stay in Mexico are part of the Indigenous peoples of Mexico. The Kumeyaay live on both sides of the Mexico-United States border.

Languages

Before Europeans arrived, the people of California spoke more than 300 different ways of talking, called dialects, from about 100 different languages. Each group had its own language.

Many groups of Indigenous peoples have lived in California for a very long time. These groups have different names and come from different parts of the state.

Some of these groups include the Achomawi, Atsugewi, Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, and Chumash. Each group has its own traditions and languages. Others include the Esselen, Hupa, Karuk, and Kato. Many of these groups still exist today and work to keep their cultures alive.