Originally posted by punkinworks10
In this thread I wish to discuss, who were the first Californians, and how does that relate to the populating of north America.
My focus will be on the legends and myths of the native peoples of central California
Great topic. And I thought about it and there might be others related to the Penutian language family in addition to the three you named. So since I
had a few hours to spare/waste this morn, I put together a list of all the tribes of California and links to their myths and legends. If they are from
the Penutian Language family, then they have a double star ** in front of their number.
And now anyone can use my quick links to look up legends and myths of each Cali-tribe for discussion. The map I have for them I bought as a giant
postcard on the Gila Indian Reservation. It only had about 38 or so tribes on it. I'm assuming there's more than the list I came up with.
--------------
Original Inhabitants-- 38 Tribes of California (from North to South)
1.
Hoopa/Hupa (northwest Cali on Oregon border) - Athabaskan Languange Family, and one of the few Athabaskan tribes with
patrilineal descent (most Athabaskan tribes have matrilineal descent).
Hupa Legends
History of the Hupa
---
2.
Yurok (on different maps different places, all northwest Cali, some maps north of Hoopa, other maps south of Hoopa, other maps
place them next to the Achomawi) - Algic Language Family
Yurok Legends
Yurok Tribal History
---
3.
Shasta (north Cali/Oregon border) - not a formally recognized tribe now, they were incorporated into the Karuk and Alturas
tribes.
Shasta Legends
Shasta Indian Tribe Our Story
---
4.
Chasta Costa (north central Cali near Oregon border) - part of the Shasta tribe but a different branch
---
5.
Wiyot (northwest coastal Cali, now Humbolt Bay - Algic language roots and distantly related to Algonquian Language Family.
Wiyot Legends
Wiyot Tribe Culture & History
---
6.
Achomawi (northeast Cali/Nevada border) - Palaihnihan Language Family
Achomawi Myth
Myths of the Achomawi
Achomawi: Wikipedia
---
7.
Yuki (northwest Cali coast, south of the Wiyot) - only 100 left
Solitude Walker
Yuki Legends
Yuki Tribe: Wikipedia
---
8.
Pomo (northwest Cali coast south of the Yuki tribe) - Kulanapan Language Family
Pomo Legends
Pomo People
---
9.
Nomlaki (northeast Cali, what's now Sacramento Valley) - Wintuan Language Family
Nomlaki Tribal History
---
10.
Atsugewi (east Cali/Nevada border) - Palaihnihan language
Myths of Atsugewi
Atsugewi Traditional Narratives
---
11.
Wintun (north central Cali, south of Nomlaki) - Wintuan Language Family
Wintu Legend
History of Wintun Nation
---
12.
Yahi (east Cali/Nevada border, south of Atsugewi) - extinct tribe
Ishi, the Last Yahi Indian
---
**13.
Maidu (east Cali/Nevada border, south of the Yahi) - Maiduan/Penutian Language Family
Tolowim Woman and Butterfly Man
Maidu Legends
Our History: Konkow Valley Band of Maidu
---
**14.
Konkow (north central Cali, east of Maidu) - Maiduan Language Family
(see above links for Maidu)
