Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 288 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States (California) | |
| Languages | |
| English, Cahuilla language | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion Christianity (Roman Catholicism) |
|
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Cahuilla and Cupeño tribes |
Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians of the Los Coyotes Reservation is a federally recognized tribe of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians, who were Mission Indians located in California.
Reservation
Los Coyotes Reservation (33°17′52″N 116°33′22″W / 33.29778°N 116.55611°W) is located in northeastern San Diego County. Of 288 enrolled tribal members, about 74 live on the reservation. It was founded in 1889.
Their reservation is the largest in San Diego County. Located at an 80-mile (130 km) drive from San Diego, the land sits between Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Cleveland National Forest.
Language
The Cahuilla and Cupeño languages are closely related and are part of the Takic language family. Cupeño and Cahuilla are endangered. Alvino Siva, an enrolled tribal member and a fluent Cahuilla language speaker, died on June 26, 2009. He preserved the tribe's traditional bird songs, sung in the Cahuilla language, by teaching them to younger generations of Cahuilla people.
Notable tribal members
- Katherine Siva Saubel (March 7, 1920 – November 1, 2011), scholar of Indian language and culture, co-founder of the Malki Museum, and former Los Coyotes tribal chairperson
