Yokut Native American Trunk

The trunk provides many authentic artifacts made by a local Yokut tribeswoman. These artifacts include: a sand painting, a turtle shell bag and glass beaded necklaces. Also included in this trunk are a detailed information packet of the Yokut Indians and literature to support the study of Native Americans. Lastly, there are two art projects for teachers to use with their students. The first is a sand painting project with sandpaper and the colored minerals to decorate. The second is a clay pinch pot project with clay and instructions.

Objective: Learn about a local Native American tribe called the Yokuts.

Social Science Standard:
The study of local and California Native American culture.

Activities and Materials:

I. A study of the Yokut culture:

Book #1: A Day With Tupi - An Indian Boy of Yosemite.

Book #2: Pasquala: The Story of a California Indian Girl

Book #3: The Yokuts of Tulare County.

Book #4: Yokuts Texts (Native American Texts, Vol 1)

Book #5: Back in the Beforetime: Tales of the California Indians

Book #6: Native American Crafts of California, the Great Basin, and the Southwest (Native American Crafts)

Book #7: Indian Pottery

Book #8: Weaving a California Tradition: A Native American Basketmaker

II. Artifacts:

Artifact #1: Sand painting

Artifact #2: Turtle shell bag

Artifact #3: Glass beaded necklaces

Artifact#4: Water buffalo bone necklace

III. Art Projects:

Activity #1: Sand painting

Activity #2: Clay pinch pots.