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 400 enrolled tribal members, about 150 live on the reservation. It was founded in 1889.
Their reservation is the largest in San Diego County. An 80-mile (130 km) drive from San Diego, the land is located between Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Cleveland National Forest. Hot Springs Mountain is located within the boundaries of the reservation with an elevation of 6,533 ft. Campgrounds are open to the public for a nominal entry fee.
Language
The Cahuilla and Cupeño languages are closely related and are part of the Takic language family. The Cupeño and Cahuilla languages 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
