Pechanga Band of Indians facts for kids
Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians emblem
|
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 467 reservation population (2011) 1,823 enrolled members (2017) |
|
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States (California) | |
| Languages | |
| English, Luiseño | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Luiseño people |
The Pechanga Band of Indians are one of six federally recognized tribes of Luiseño people. They are also known as Payómkawichum, which means "the People of the West." Today, they live in Riverside County, California. The name "Pechanga" means "the place where water drips." This name came about when the tribe moved to a valley near a spring called Pecháa'a after being forced to leave Temecula in 1875.
Contents
History of the Pechanga People
Life Before European Contact
For a long time, the Payómkawichum people lived in Southern California as a self-governing group. Their traditional lands were very large. They stretched north to what is now Riverside, east to Hemet, south to Carlsbad, and west to San Nicolas Island. The Pechanga lived in permanent, cone-shaped homes. They relied on the land and their community for everything they needed.
Changes After Europeans Arrived (1797-1834)
When Europeans arrived on the Pacific coast, led by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, missions were built. This meant the Pechanga and other tribes were forced to move. One important mission was the Mission San Luis Rey de Francía, built in 1798. It was built on land that belonged to the Luiseño people. Even though the Luiseño were upset, they did not fight against the mission movement.
Pechanga Displacement and New Beginnings (1846-1907)
The Mexican–American War (1846-1848) caused problems for Native people. After the war, there were conflicts between Native and Mexican groups. One event was the Pauma massacre, where Mexican soldiers died after trying to steal horses from Native people. In return, many Native people from Temecula were captured, and about one hundred died. Their resting place is now the Old Temecula Village Cemetery.
When the Mexican-American War ended in 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed. This treaty gave Native groups like the Pechanga some legal rights. However, the U.S. government later took away their citizenship. This meant most Native people lost their land and property rights.
In 1850, California became a new state. Soon after, the Act for the Governance and Protection of Indians was passed. This law allowed American citizens to take Native children into their care. This led to many Native children being kidnapped. To fight this, representatives from nearly 200 California tribes signed the Treaty of Temecula. This treaty set aside land reservations only for Native people. In return, California would receive some goods from the land. Ysidro Toshovwul and Lauriano Cahparahpish represented the Pechanga tribe in this agreement.
On June 27, 1882, President Chester A. Arthur created the Pechanga Reservation. He was inspired by author Helen Hunt Jackson. She saw how the Pechanga people lived and wrote about their experiences. Her stories helped the reservation be granted to the Pechanga.
Pechanga Reservation
The Pechanga Reservation is a federal Indian reservation. It is located near Temecula, California. It was created in 1882. The land is 6,724 acres and is divided into four main parts: Main Reservation, Kelsey Tract, Zone 5, and Great Oak. The reservation sits at different heights, from 1,100 feet to 2,600 feet. Many mountains surround the reservation, including Wild Horse Peak, Agua Tibia Mountain, Pala Mountain, Mount Olympus, Gavilan Mountain, and the Santa Rosa mountain range.
Tribal Membership
The Pechanga Constitution from 1978 said that members needed to show they were related to the "original Pechanga Temecula people." However, in 1996, the tribal council made the rules stricter. They said members had to have an ancestor from the specific group of Temecula people who moved to the Pechanga valley where the reservation was created.
These stricter rules led to many people being removed from the tribal membership list between 2004 and 2006. Pechanga leaders said that living in the Temecula area and being related to the original people were very important for membership.
Some Pechanga members had moved away for economic reasons but still stayed connected to the reservation. They were involved in the tribe's activities. When the rules changed, some people who had been members for a long time were removed. This caused some disagreement. Tribes have the right to decide who their members are.
Challenges with Membership
In some cases, the Pechanga tribe removed families from their membership who were related to the historic Temecula ancestors. These families had been identified as Pechanga for a long time. Some of these individuals even worked for the tribe or the casino. For example, in 2005, a family was questioned about their Native heritage. Even though one of their ancestors was an original landowner, her membership was later questioned. This led to many of her living family members losing their Pechanga identity.
Another family faced a similar situation in 2006. Even with evidence tracing their ancestry back, the tribe did not accept it. This meant the family lost their tribal benefits, like health insurance. These situations have led to discussions about tribal membership rules.
Economic Development
Pechanga Resort and Casino
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 allowed Native American tribes to operate casinos. Because of this, the Pechanga tribe uses the Pechanga Resort & Casino as a main way to earn money for the reservation. The casino opened in 2002. It brings in a lot of money, and much of it goes back to help the Pechanga community.
Great Oak Press
The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians also owns a publishing company called Great Oak Press. It was started in 2014. The press shares the Pechanga perspective and gives a look into their culture. It publishes scholarly books and also provides educational materials for students from kindergarten to high school.
Culture
Language of the Pechanga
The Luiseño tribes shared the same language. It comes from the Takic languages and is part of the Cupan languages group. This group includes languages like Cupeño, Cahuilla, and Nicoleño, which are all Uto-Aztecan languages. Before Europeans arrived in California in 1792, it is believed that 3,000 to 4,000 people spoke the Luiseño language. Today, that number is zero. So, current Luiseño and Pechanga tribe members are working to bring their native language back to life.
Festivals and Pow Wows
Many Pechanga traditions are kept private within the tribe. However, some public events allow others to learn about their culture. For example, the Pechanga announced in 2023 that their Pow Wow would return. It had not happened since 2015 due to construction and the COVID-19 pandemic. During the Pow Wow, small hand-held rattles are used to create rhythm for performers. These rattles are often made from turtle shells, deer hooves, or cocoons. The dances and clothing follow Pechanga tradition. Modern technology like fireworks are also part of the closing celebration.
Pechanga in Media
Most public information about the Pechanga tribe comes from advertisements for the Pechanga Resort & Casino. These ads often show the large casino space and talk about games and performers.
The Pechanga tribe has also appeared in popular media in other ways. On November 6, 2022, the Pechanga tribe performed at a Los Angeles Clippers basketball game. During halftime, the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Bird Singers led a group in traditional song and dance. They shared the story of Tribal creation from the Pechanga perspective. This was one of the few times the Pechanga tribe has been shown in popular media.
