California

A unique and relatively self-contained civilization developed among Indians of the region encompassing modern Humboldt, Del Norte, and Siskiyou counties. This civilization centered on the Yurok, Karok, and Hupa tribes but was also shared to a lesser extent by neighboring groups such as the Wiyot, Tolowa, Chilula, and Whilkut. In some respects these cultures can be viewed as belonging to the Northwest Coast culture area—for example, they share ideas about the importance of wealth and status in native...