American Indians of the Local Region pp. 57-58

In Standard 3.2, students study the American Indians who lived or continue to live in their local region, how they used the resources of this region, and in what ways they modified the natural environment. It is most appropriate that American Indians who lived in the region be authentically presented, including their tribal identity; their social organization and customs; the location of their villages and the reasons for its locale; the structures they built and the relationship of these structures to the climate; the methods they used to get their food, clothing, tools, and utensils and whether they traded with others for any of these things; and their art and folklore. Local California Indian tribes and organizations are important sources of information for describing how indigenous cultures have persisted through time. Teachers may invite local California Indian representatives to share cultural information and help students understand Who were the first people in my community? Museums that specialize in California Indian cultures are a rich source of publications, pictures, and artifacts that can help students appreciate the daily lives and the adaptation of these cultures to the environment of the geographic region.

Working with Tribal and Natural Regions maps, students can describe ways in which physical geography, including climate, affected the natural resources upon which California Indian nations depended. Investigating the plants and animals used by local Indians, students explain how they adapted to their natural environment so that they could harvest, transport, and consume resources. (California Environmental Principle I, EEI Curriculum Unit: California Indian People: Exploring Tribal Regions 3.2.2).

3.2 Students describe the American Indian nations in their local region long ago and in the recent past.

1. Describe national identities, religious beliefs, customs, and various folklore traditions.

2. Discuss the ways in which physical geography, including climate, influenced how the local Indian nations adapted to their natural environment (e.g., how they obtained food, clothing, tools).

3. Describe the economy and systems of government, particularly those with tribal constitutions, and their relationship to federal and state governments.

4. Discuss the interaction of new settlers with the already established Indians of the region

Who were the first people in my community?

• Reach out to the Southern California Tribal Chairman's Association and find out about ways to bring guests to the classroom or organize a field experience for your students.

• Field experience to Museum of Man.

• Work to bring justice to local indigenous population:E.g. Change Junipero Serra High School’s name to a name that either acknowledges a Kumeyaay person/value or reflects the whole community. Lee Elementary became Pacific View Leadership Academy