Surviving on the Island: Chapter 18

Spring on San Nicolas Island. Courtesy of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

Colorful wildflowers bloom after the winter rains and many birds appear on the island. Karana takes two young birds that hatched in a nest near her home and keeps them in a cage made of reeds. She trains the birds to take food from her hand. She calls them Tainor and Lurai.

During the time that Karana tames the birds, she also makes a yucca twine skirt for herself along with a sealskin belt and sealskin sandals.

Fact Check: Yucca

Does yucca grow on the island? Do seals live in the waters surrounding the island? Did native islanders use these natural resources to make clothing? 

What do we know?
There is no evidence that yuccas have ever grown on San Nicolas Island. Islanders most likely used surf grass, animal fur, feathers, and skins to make clothing. 

What is the evidence?
Primary source: In 2010 the US Navy compiled a list of all plant and animal species on the island. The yucca is not included.

Secondary source: In Voices from the Field Dr. Jan Timbrook discusses how the islanders used some of the native plant species, including to make clothing.

Voices from the Field

Dr. Jan Timbrook, Curator of Ethnography, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, talks about the way indigenous people used various plants on the Channel Islands.

Photos & Multimedia, Maps

Photo: Yucca
Map: Explore San Nicolas Island Plants in Interactive Maps for more information about how native islanders used plants in their everyday lives. 

Teacher Resources

Writing Prompts and Lesson Plans