Great Basin, Plateau Great Basin, Plateau and Californiaand California

HistoryHistory

The name of the Great Basin originated The name of the Great Basin originated because the rivers in this area do not flow to because the rivers in this area do not flow to the oceans, but empty into the basinthe oceans, but empty into the basin

Tribes in Great Basin were Shoshone, Paiute Tribes in Great Basin were Shoshone, Paiute and Monoand Mono

Tribes in the plateau area to the north and Tribes in the plateau area to the north and west of the Great Basin were the Nez Perce, west of the Great Basin were the Nez Perce, Ute and UmatillaUte and Umatilla

California was home to the Hupa, Shasta California was home to the Hupa, Shasta Cumash, Salina, Maidu, Miwok and Pomo Cumash, Salina, Maidu, Miwok and Pomo

http://www.ahsd25.k12.il.us/curriculum/nativeamericans/greatbasin.htmlhttp://www.ahsd25.k12.il.us/curriculum/nativeamericans/greatbasin.html

ReligionReligion

Religious ideas stemmed from mythical Religious ideas stemmed from mythical beliefs in “power” beingsbeliefs in “power” beings

Power beings were typically animals or Power beings were typically animals or nature relatednature related

Shamans or “curers” were important in all Shamans or “curers” were important in all Great Basin tribesGreat Basin tribes

People had special powersPeople had special powers Soul-dualism: one soul represented life, Soul-dualism: one soul represented life,

the other was the person as he was in a the other was the person as he was in a dreamdream

http://www.cabrillo.edu/~crsmith/noamer_gbasin.htmlhttp://www.cabrillo.edu/~crsmith/noamer_gbasin.html

Geographic BoundariesGeographic Boundaries

Between 2 mountain rangesBetween 2 mountain ranges SouthernSouthern

– Flatlands and very dry, salty soilFlatlands and very dry, salty soil NorthernNorthern

– Plateau and forests, mild climatePlateau and forests, mild climate

www.ahsd25.k12.il.us/curriculum/nativeamericans/greatbasin.html

Social OrderSocial Order

Common institution of social Common institution of social organization was the “tribelet” and not organization was the “tribelet” and not common to have chief. Minimal tribal common to have chief. Minimal tribal identity.identity.

Tribelet – a small part of the ethnic Tribelet – a small part of the ethnic nation defined by geographical location.nation defined by geographical location.

Ceremonialists included a priest (always Ceremonialists included a priest (always a male) and a shaman (exceptional a male) and a shaman (exceptional spiritual power – usually a woman).spiritual power – usually a woman).

http://www4.hmc.edu:8001/humanities/basin/gb-title.htmhttp://www4.hmc.edu:8001/humanities/basin/gb-title.htm

CustomsCustoms

Twined basketry in the form of hats, Twined basketry in the form of hats, containers, and baskets was more containers, and baskets was more common than pottery. common than pottery.

Marriage arranged.Marriage arranged. Divorce not uncommon.Divorce not uncommon.

Bear River MassacreBear River Massacre Chief Bear Hunter- Head leader of 3 bands of Chief Bear Hunter- Head leader of 3 bands of

Shoshoni tribesShoshoni tribes White pioneers began settling in the area White pioneers began settling in the area

around Salt Lake City and as the discovery of around Salt Lake City and as the discovery of Montana gold became popular, Shoshoni land Montana gold became popular, Shoshoni land became a high traffic areabecame a high traffic area

Shoshoni began to fight back by raiding white Shoshoni began to fight back by raiding white pioneers cattlepioneers cattle

White pioneers launched “Bear River White pioneers launched “Bear River Massacre”Massacre”– 250 out of 450 Shoshoni lost their lives including 250 out of 450 Shoshoni lost their lives including

Chief Bear HunterChief Bear Hunter Treaty of Box Elder signed by Shoshoni- Treaty of Box Elder signed by Shoshoni-

agreed to move out of the area and into Fort agreed to move out of the area and into Fort HallHall http://www.snowbasin.com/winter/

native_americans.asp