The term “Amerind” instead of the traditional word “Indian” was seriously considered for use in this book but finally rejected. Ever since Christopher Columbus’ historic mistake the word Indian has had a confusing two-fold meaning. Columbus, of course, thought that he had been successful in reaching India when his little fleet touched the shores of the New World. Hence he applied the word Indian to the people he found there, supposing them to be natives of India. The term Amerind is a coined contraction of the words: American Indian. The use of Amerind has been advocated by some authors to do away with confusion, and it does seem to be an excellent name, but it has not enjoyed wide usage by the American public.
I am deeply indebted to the following named persons whose research and learned writings have provided the bulk of the information contained in the present publication. The bibliography carries the titles of the specific references used.
Dr. Roland B. Dixon Mr. Thomas R. Garth Dr. E. W. Gifford Dr. Robert F. Heizer Dr. Stanislaw Klimek Dr. A. L. Kroeber Dr. Saxton T. Pope Dr. Carl O. Sauer Dr. Edward Sapir Dr. Leslie Spier Miss Erminie W. Voegelin Dr. T. T. Waterman
Properly, specific credit should be given in the text for each fact and quotation taken from the works of others, but the result would in this case have been unwieldy and of no practical benefit to the readers whom this book is intended to reach. It is hoped that professional ethnologists into whose hands this volume may fall will forgive this unorthodox usage of the research results of serious students.
Mrs. Selina La Marr (Boonookoo-ee-menorra) was a valuable and gracious informant. Thanks are due again to Dr. E. W. Gifford, Director of the Museum of Anthropology at the University of California, for many courtesies, including donation of a copy of Dixon’s rare “Yana Indians” and also for his constructive perusal of the manuscript. Others who assisted the author were Mrs. Grace Schulz, Miss Lois Bell of the University of California “University Explorer” radio program, and Mr. Louis Caywood, National Park Service archeologist. Dr. J. H. Woolsey, M.D., earned gratitude of the author by donation of his personal copy of Pope’s “Medical History of Ishi”. Miss Lilian Nisbet of the Tehama County Library was helpful in the securing of other reference materials.
Most Californians are vitally interested in the Indians of this state, yet few are aware of the excellent California State Indian Museum operated by the Division of Beaches and Parks. The Indian Museum is open to the public daily, free of charge, in a separate building on the grounds of Sutter’s Fort State Historical Monument in Sacramento. The author highly commends this museum to you. It contains a wealth of authentic materials which have been organized into handsome and exciting story-telling exhibits of first quality by Curator Jack Dyson.
Paul E. Schulz
Park Naturalist
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Fall 1954
CONTENTS
[Preface] I [Contents] III [Prehistoric Man Comes to North America] 1 [Early Cultures in North America] 4 [The California Indians] 8 [Indian Tribes of the Lassen Area] 16 [Indian-Pioneer Conflict; the Ishi Story] 20 [Hunting] 38 [Fishing] 43 [Gathering and Preparation of Other Foods] 48 [Houses and Furnishings] 60 [Household Implements, Tools, and Weapons] 66 [Basketry and Textiles] 80 [Tanning, Cordage, and Glue] 96 [Transportation] 99 [Domestic Animals and Pets] 103 [Clothing] 105 [Beauty and Personal Grooming] 111 [Wealth] 117 [Ceremonial Dress] 119 [Tobacco and Smoking] 120 [Music and Arts] 122 [Games and Social Gatherings] 126 [Dances] 129 [Political Organization of Tribes] 131 [War and Peace] 133 [Birth and Babies] 136 [Adulthood Rites] 141 [Marriage and Divorce] 143 [Death and Burial] 145 [Counting, Time, and Place] 149 [Concepts of Sun, Moon, and Stars] 151 [Weather Phenomena] 153 [Earthquake Beliefs] 155 [Creation Beliefs and Other Legends] 157 [Medical Treatment] 162 [Spirits and Ghosts] 164 [Shamanism and Doctoring] 166 [Miscellaneous Magic] 173 [Bibliography] 175
