California Indian Languages: Athapascan Tribes
Linguistic evidence indicates that Athapascans entered California at circa 1250-1350 AD. Athpascan is a widespread family, more diversified in the north than in the south. California Athapascan languages are remarkably conservative, even though their speakers were prone to cultural borrowing. Athapascan speech was adopted as a “prestige language” by peoples who chose to speak it rather than their own former language. California Athapascan tongues are related to Navajo and Apachean of the Southwest. (Moratto, California Archaeology *)
Hupa/Hoopa
Native Location: Trinity River in northwestern California
Language: Athapascan
Identified Shelters: Cedar houses built over a square earth pit
Food: Salmon, trout, sturgeon, nuts, berries
Tribal History: www.fourdir.com/hupa.htm
Tribal Website: Hoopa Valley Tribe www.hoopa-nsn.gov
Cahto (aka. Kato)
Native Location: Upper south fork of the Eel River in northwestern California
Language: Wailakian
Identified Shelters: four-posted square framework inside a two (2) - foot deep, circular pit
Tribal History: www.fourdir.com/cahto.htm
Tolowa
Native Location: Smith River and Elk Valley Rancherias in Del Norte County
Language: Tolawan (fewer than five speakers left)
Identified Shelters: Redwood plank structures, semi-subterranean, flat beachstone or wood floors, smokehole in the center of a peaked roof
Food: Seals, sea litons, smelt, perch, cod, shellfish, salmon, eel, acorn, (deer and elk to a lesser degree)
Trade: Smelt and tooth shells to the Karuk for soaproot and pine nut beads; basketry to the Rogue River Athapaskans; redwood dugouts from the Yurok
Tribal History: www.fourdir.com/tolowa.htm
Other Athapascan Tribes:
Chilula - Eel River - Lassik - Mattole - Sinkyone - Wailaki - Whilkut
* Moratto, MIchael, California Archaeology, Academic Press, Inc., 1984