User:Yguzman10/sandbox

Yokut's before 1849- Mountain House wiki

Another name used to refer to the Yokuts was Mariposans. The Yokut were a group of people who were hunters, gatherers, and fishers. Overall they were a peaceful people who rarely engaged in warfare but partake in trade with nearby tribes such as the Chumash, trading items like animal products and plants. Trade was how the Yokut kept in contact with other tribes and they even developed a monetary system using shell money as a means of paymen t. (Did not add this to the article).

There were about 60 tribes of the Yokut in central and Northern California before European contact. In the late 1700's there were an estimated 70,000 Yokut's but 200 years later that decreased to 600. The first contact Yokut's had with Europeans was in 1772, but contact between them was very limited for the next 30 years. For the most part information about European intrusion came to the Yokut from other tribes they traded with w ho were currently experiencing European invasion. (did not add underlined sentence) In 1797, when the mission systems were introduced to the area many Yokut were being forced to convert and work for their invaders, dying from poor working conditions and violence. Missions the Yokut were sent to included the San Luis Obispo mission and the San Francisco mission. The Yokut fought back as much as possible using smoke signals and lookouts to alert others of strangers and invaders. (Dis not add this last sentence)

Even after multiple warnings and Yokut cooperation, the Spanish continued their attacks but the Yokut found another way to keep the Spanish at bay. The Spanish introduced the horse to the Yokut land and on their raids the Yokut would steal the horses using them to their advantage. The horses allowed the Yokut to travel faster and for longer distances away from the Spanish. However, the Yokut and other Native Americans tribes were no match for the disease that British fur traders brought with them in 1833. (will not add into article)

In 1833 the British introduced Malaria to the area and almost completely eradicated the Yokut population, decreasing it by 80 percent. This loss in population left the Yokut vulnerable when gold was discovered in northern California in 1849.

Between 1848-1849 newcomers from China, Australia, Europe and Mexico were traveling to northern California in search of Gold. This influx of immigrant to California for gold became known as the Gold rush. The newcomers came to California seeking gold in lands they had no right to lands belonging to native Americans. The Yokut stood no chance against the newcomers violence and diseases they had never encountered, they lost their lands and their people.

add a link to the Mountain House website (done)

YOKUT HISTORY

Creation Story- Once the world was completely covered in water. Then came an eagle and a crow. As they were flying they came upon a duck and asked the duck to bring up mud from the water so there can be land again. The Duck did as it was asked and this mud became the land of the Yokuts. More specifically the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Coast Mountain Range. The crow and the eagle are symbolic figures in Yokut religious ceremonies to this day.

The word Yokut itself means people. The Yokut were a peaceful and friendly people who were known as seed gatherers because farming was not yet introduced to the area.

pre- contact

Environment- The Yokuts had several water resources that included rivers and lakes, the land was the main source of sustenance for the Yokuts so they treated it well and cared for it through passive and active management. Burning of the land was a form of active management that helped animals have better foraging and travel through the land was improved. (will make this the third paragraph instead of the first)

Yokut life was rather peaceful, there about 50 sub-tribes with up to 350 people in each tribe. In Yokut culture men and women had different responsibilities. Men usually did the hunting, fishing, and building while the women gathered, maintained the home, and cared for the children. Two spirits were welcomed and highly respected. (did not add) Divorce was not difficult to achieve and could be done due to marital affairs, laziness, and even infertility. (paragraph has been added)

Art expression among the Yokut included music, storytelling, singing, and painting. Basket making was also a way for the Yokut to show their skills by weaving designs and images into the baskets. Other forms of expression were done on the bodies of the Yokut, tattoos and piecing were common. The yokut had two important religious ceremonies they partook in the Annual mourning rite and the First fruit rite. Shamans were important to the culture as they had supernatural powers, they conducted ceremonies, and were able to treat the sick. However, shamans could use their power for good or evil and depending on how they used that power they could be lead to their execution.

During contact

The first time the Yokut encountered Europeans was in 1772, when Spanish troops were in the area searching for soldiers. In the 19th century missions that were started by the Spanish an as they began to flourish they use the forced labor of Indians to work the land for farming. The harsh working conditions along with disease and abuse led to the death of many Indians. With their work force dwindling the missions moved further inland forcing those they encountered to convert and work.

Gold was discovered in California in 19th century. (add link to Gold rush) Between 1848-1849 newcomers began arriving to the Yokut lands causing violence and destruction. The Miwok and Yokut joined forces against the newcomers to push them out of their lands. (did not add to article) The gold rush left the Yokut with no land and a large decrease in their population due to murder and disease.

in 1860 much of the water resources the Yokut had access to were redirected to be used for the purpose of agriculture. This act directly affected the natural environment and habitat that relied on the water to thrive. The lakes and rivers eventually dried up.

Trade- other items part of Yokut trade included salts, soap stones, and obsidian. The yokut used marine shells as a form of money showing they had a functional monetary system. (added)

Today

As of the 2010 census there are a total of 6,273 people who identify themselves as Yokut. Many of them live on reservation that have Casinos. The casinos have been essential to providing the Yokut with jobs, money, and healthcare. (paragraph added to the contemporary tribes section)

Title rearrangement for article


 * 1) History-Pre contact/contact period
 * 2) Territory
 * 3) Population before contact and today
 * 4) Art and religion

some information from the Population section may need to be moved into the history section.