.. Ishi himself capitalized on more modern materials and methods once he was exposed to them...
There are guys on the Yukon river that use spears and spear throwers (atlatls) to hunt seals. Not because some else did years ago, but because it is still the best way to do it. The skills have been passed down in their families for more than 10,000 years. Some folks might say that's primitive, but don't tell them that. Or tell them they can't use an outboard on the skiff.
"Everybody says they go camping because they want to be closer to their ancestors, closer to the pioneers. I think the pioneers just did what they needed to do. If Lewis and Clark had found a Hilton, they wouldn't have camped!"
--A great comedian whose name escapes me at the moment
