Indigenous peoples of California

Uncommon card · No. 128271

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. According to the 2020 US Census, California has the largest number of Native Americans and the third largest population (by percent) in the United States. Most tribes practiced forest gardening or permaculture and controlled burning to ensure the availability of food and medicinal plants as well as ecosystem balance. Archeological sites indicate human occupation of California for thousands of years. European settlers began exploring their homelands in the late 18th century. This began with the arrival of Spanish soldiers and missionaries who established Franciscan...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Michael Marmarou from San Francisco, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0