California Athabascan Groups

The monograph compiles and analyzes field notes and earlier reports to reconstruct the distribution, village locations, and approximate precontact population of the Athabascan-speaking peoples of northwestern California. It reviews cultural traits and defines exterior and interior boundaries, presents group-by-group treatments (including Kato, Wailaki varieties, Lassik, Nongatl, Sinkyone, Mattole, Bear River, Whilkut, and Hupa), and supplies detailed maps and village charts. Population estimates are derived from village counts and resource-based calculations and are accompanied by source discussions and appendices with Tolowa and Upper Eel River material. The work aims to provide the most closely approximated ethnogeographic picture attainable from available documentary evidence.