A young Indian girl, Zia, caught between the traditional world of her mother and the present world of the Mission, is helped by her aunt Karana whose story was told in the Island of the Blue Dolphins.

"If we allow the pieces of our culture to lie scattered in the dust of history, trampled on by racism and grief, then yes, we are irreparably damaged. But if we pick up the pieces and use them in new ways that honor their integrity, their colors, textures, stories, then we do those pieces justice, no matter how sharp they are, no matter how much handling them slices our fingers and makes us bleed." This book, part tribal history, part lyric and intimate...

This nonfiction book explores the history, culture, customs, and beliefs of California's American Indian tribes including the Chumash, Tongva, Hupa, Yokuts, Quechan, and Coso tribes. Detailed primary source images in conjunction with Spanish text provide 3rd grade students with an inviting reading and learning experience as they build their social studies knowledge. This book includes basic informational text features including a glossary, an index,...

Offers an overview of the past and present lives of the Chumash Indians, covering their customs, beliefs, and government.

A short documentary about Ishi, billed in 1911 as the "last wild Indian" when he wandered out of the woods in Oroville, CA, and became a national sensation. When Ishi died, his brain was removed and sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Eighty years later, his descendants in California fight to have his remains repatriated to his ancestral home. Contrary to the master narrative that Indians would die off, the film shows how Native...

Between two and three thousand years ago, the ancestors of the Luiseños settled along the coast of what is now southern California. The Luiseños have faced many challenges since that time. Today, they're considered one of California's most notable Native American groups. Students will learn about the history, culture, and traditions of the Luiseños. Primary sources and full-color photographs add visual depth to the informative text. Readers will...

The Modoc lived in what is now the border area of California and Oregon. When American settlers arrived in the area, they found between 600 and 800 Modoc people. What was life like for the Modoc people? What hardships did they face? Like many other American Indian groups, the Modoc were affected by the arrival of the Europeans. Many of them died from illnesses to which the Europeans were immune. The European presence would eventually become essential...

The ancient Tongva people lived in the area that is now known as the city of Los Angeles. This book provides readers with a fascinating look into the culture and traditions of the Tongva. Primary sources make this a great resource for learning about the history of these American Indians of California. Students will learn about the religion and social structure of the Tongva, their interactions with Europeans, and the struggles they face today. Important...