Student Activities for First Nations of the California Intermountain
Essential Questions for the First Nations of the California Intermountain
- Who are the First Nations of the California-Intermountain Region?
- Where is the California-Intermountain Regional region and what is its environment?
- How did the environment impact the culture and traditions of the Native Americans of the California-Intermountain Region?
Background for Indigenous Peoples of the California Intermountain
The California-Intermountain Region stretches east from the Pacific Coast of California through the high Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin. Because of this, the environments differ greatly across the region. There’s the mild climate of the beaches, the extreme hot and cold of the desert, the dense Redwood forests, and the mountains. Over 100 First Nations call this region home including the Shoshoni, Ute, Bannock, Paiute, Goshute, Pomo, Maidu, and Miwok.
East of the Pacific Coast, lies the Great Basin, a large depressed area of land in between the Rocky Mountains in the west, the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the east, the Plateau Region (or Columbia Plateau) in the north, and the Colorado Plateau in the south. This area is filled with deserts and salty lakes like the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Most people in this area, like the Shoshoni, Ute, Bannock, Paiute, and Goshute, spoke a Shosonean language. The environment necessitated that they be nomadic and relocate seasonally in order to find food. Common food sources were roots, seeds, nuts, deer, sheep, antelope, small mammals like rabbits, and snakes and lizards. Homes needed to be easy to transport, and so they used the “wickiup”, which was made of willow poles, leaves and brush. In the 1800s, horses began to populate the Great Basin and became very important for hunting and travel. Tragically, with the influx of white settlers during and after the Gold Rush of the mid 1800s, many Native Americans in the Great Basin were pushed off their land or killed.
In California and along the Pacific coast, there were over 100 different Native American groups with even more languages between them. First Nations in California included the Maidu, Miwok, Pomo, Salinas, and Hupa, among others. While there was great diversity across the Nations, the landscape lent itself to similar practices. The climate is mild and the geography is rich with natural resources. There are massive redwood trees, oak trees, wild berries, and grasses along with wildlife like deer, rabbits, and birds. The ocean provided them with the ability to fish, dig for clams and other shellfish, and hunt for sea mammals like sea lions, orcas, and seals. First nations like the Pomos used the Redwood trees to build their homes by laying thick pieces of bark against a center pole to form a cone-shaped house. The Pomos and other groups used shells to make beads, money, and necklaces. Shells, feathers, roots, and grasses were also used to artistically weave intricate baskets that were as useful as they were beautiful.
Spanish conquistadors began exploring the region in the 1500s, and in 1769 the first mission was established in San Diego by the Spanish. This began a bloody period of slavery, disease, and cultural genocide for the Native Americans of California. Despite these hardships, First Nations of the California Intermountain region continue to thrive and carry on their rich traditions today.
In these activities students will use Storyboard That to demonstrate their understanding of key vocabulary, the environment of the California-Intermountain Region, as well as the cultural traditions of the First Nations that live there.
How Tos about First Nations of the California Intermountain Region
Engage students with a hands-on California-Intermountain Region mapping activity
Introduce your class to the California-Intermountain Region by having students create their own maps. This activity helps students visualize the region’s diverse environments and First Nations locations, making geography more interactive and memorable.
Gather accessible mapping resources and materials
Provide blank outline maps of California, Nevada, and Utah, colored pencils, markers, and reference images. Include simple instructions and examples to support students at different skill levels.
Guide students to label key geographic features
Ask students to mark the Pacific Coast, Sierra Nevada Mountains, Great Basin desert, and major lakes. Encourage them to note climate differences and natural resources in each area for deeper understanding.
Identify and place First Nations groups on the map
Have students research and add locations for groups like the Pomo, Shoshoni, Ute, Paiute, Miwok, and others. Use symbols or colors to distinguish each Nation and spark discussion about their environments and traditions.
Reflect on how geography shaped Indigenous cultures
Lead a class conversation or quick-write: How did the region’s geography affect the culture, housing, food, and traditions of its First Nations? This step encourages critical thinking and connection to the lesson.
Frequently Asked Questions about First Nations of the California Intermountain Region
Who are the First Nations of the California-Intermountain Region?
First Nations of the California-Intermountain Region include groups like the Shoshoni, Ute, Bannock, Paiute, Goshute, Pomo, Maidu, and Miwok. Over 100 distinct Indigenous communities call this diverse area home.
How did the environment affect Native American culture in the California-Intermountain Region?
The varied environments—from beaches and forests to deserts and mountains—shaped Indigenous culture, food sources, homes, and traditions. Tribes adapted their lifestyles to local resources, climate, and landforms.
What types of homes did Indigenous peoples build in the California-Intermountain Region?
Indigenous groups built homes like the wickiup (made from willow poles and brush for mobility) and cone-shaped redwood bark houses that offered shelter suited to the local environment and nomadic lifestyles.
What traditional foods did Native Americans of the California-Intermountain Region eat?
Traditional foods included roots, seeds, nuts, deer, sheep, antelope, rabbits, snakes, lizards, fish, clams, shellfish, and sea mammals. Diets depended on local resources and seasonal availability.
How can teachers create engaging lessons about the California-Intermountain Indigenous peoples?
Teachers can use visual activities like Storyboard That, explore key vocabulary, environment, and cultural traditions, and include hands-on projects such as basket weaving or mapping tribal regions to make lessons interactive.
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