Indigenous peoples of California

Winnemem Wintu chief Caleen Sisk in 2009
Painting of a Pomo woman with long black hair, wearing a feathered headdress and patterned poncho
A Pomo dancer by Grace Hudson

Indigenous peoples of California, commonly known as Indigenous Californians or Native Californians, are a diverse group of nations and peoples that are indigenous to the geographic area within the current boundaries of California before and after European colonization. There are currently 109 federally recognized tribes in the state and over forty self-identified tribes or tribal bands that have applied for federal recognition.[1] California has the second-largest Native American population in the United States.[2]

Most tribes practiced forest gardening or permaculture and controlled burning to ensure the availability of food and medicinal plants as well as ecosystem balance.[3][4] The tribes lived in separation from European settlers for thousands of years, who began exploring their homelands in the late 18th century. This began with the arrival of Spanish soldiers and missionaries who established Franciscan missions that instituted an immense rate of death and cultural genocide.[5]

Following California statehood, a state-sanctioned policy of elimination was carried out against its aboriginal people known as the California genocide in the establishment of Anglo-American settler colonialism.[6][7] The Native population reached its lowest in the early 20th century while cultural assimilation into white society became imposed through Indian boarding schools.[8][9] Native Californian peoples continue to advocate for their cultures, homelands, sacred sites, and their right to live.[10][11]

In the 21st century, language revitalization began among some California tribes.[12] The Land Back movement has taken shape in the state with more support to return land to tribes.[13][14][15] There is a growing recognition by California of Native peoples' environmental knowledge to improve ecosystems and mitigate wildfires.[16]

  1. ^ Blakemore, Erin. "California's Little-Known Genocide". HISTORY. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. ^ "American Indians". SDSU Library and Information Access. Archived from the original on June 13, 2010 – via Wayback Machine.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Cunningham2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Blackburn-1993 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Snow-2002 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Risling Baldy-2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Blakemore-2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference ACLU NorCal-2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference CBS-2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Loewe-2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Uyeda-2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference KCET-2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference Reynoso-2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ agencies, Dani Anguiano and (January 25, 2022). "Native American tribes reclaim California redwood land for preservation". the Guardian. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  15. ^ Ahtone, Tristan (April 5, 2022). "California offers $100 million for tribes to buy back their land. It won't go far". Grist. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  16. ^ Elassar, Alaa (April 3, 2022). "California once prohibited Native American fire practices. Now, it's asking tribes to use them to help prevent wildfires". CNN. Retrieved January 4, 2023.