Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians
Encyclopedia
The Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians, formerly known as the Cuyapaipe Community of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Cuyapaipe Reservation, is a federally recognized tribe of Kumeyaay
Indians, who are sometimes known as Mission Indians
. "Ewiiaapaayp" is Kumeyaay
for "leaning rock," a prominent feature on the reservation.
located in eastern San Diego County, California
. The reservation was created in 1891 by the US Congress.
Two parcels of land form the reservation. The main Ewiiaapaayp Reservation is 4102.5 acres (16.6 km²) large, located near Mount Laguna, and 19 miles (30.6 km) east of Alpine. Only 1% of this arable, with the majority being steep and rocky. No public utilities are available on this parcel. Because of the inaccessibility to this reservation, many Ewiiaapaayp families moved and enrolled in other Kumeyaay tribes.
The second parcel, known as the Little Ewiiaapaayp Indian Reservation, is 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) of land located within Alpine, which was put into trust in 1986. That land is leased to the Southern Indian Health Council, which provides health care for seven Kumeyaay tribes as well as non-Natives living in the area.
In recent years, 13 people lived on seven houses on the reservation and bred horses. The only access to the reservation is on foot, since it is serviced by a dirt road, gated in several locations. In 1973, two of the five enrolled members lived on the reservation.
. They are governed by a democratically elected tribal council, according to their constitution, ratified in 1973 and amended in 2002. They are a self-governance tribe, as outlined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. Robert Pinto is their current tribal chairperson.
Kumeyaay
The Kumeyaay, also known as Tipai-Ipai, Kamia, or formerly Diegueño, are Native American people of the extreme southwestern United States and northwest Mexico. They live in the states of California in the US and Baja California in Mexico. In Spanish, the name is commonly spelled...
Indians, who are sometimes known as Mission Indians
Mission Indians
Mission Indians is a term for many Native California tribes, primarily living in coastal plains, adjacent inland valleys and mountains, and on the Channel Islands in central and southern California, United States. The tribes had established comparatively peaceful cultures varying from 250 to 8,000...
. "Ewiiaapaayp" is Kumeyaay
Kumeyaay language
Kumeyaay , also known as Central Diegueño, Kamia, and Campo, is the Native American language spoken by the Kumeyaay people of southern San Diego and Imperial counties in California. Hinton suggested a conservative estimate of 50 surviving Kumeyaay speakers...
for "leaning rock," a prominent feature on the reservation.
Reservation
The Ewiiaapaayp Indian Reservation, formerly known as the Cuyapaipe Reservation, is a federal Indian reservationIndian reservation
An American Indian reservation is an area of land managed by a Native American tribe under the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs...
located in eastern San Diego County, California
San Diego County, California
San Diego County is a large county located in the southwestern corner of the US state of California. Hence, San Diego County is also located in the southwestern corner of the 48 contiguous United States. Its county seat and largest city is San Diego. Its population was about 2,813,835 in the 2000...
. The reservation was created in 1891 by the US Congress.
Two parcels of land form the reservation. The main Ewiiaapaayp Reservation is 4102.5 acres (16.6 km²) large, located near Mount Laguna, and 19 miles (30.6 km) east of Alpine. Only 1% of this arable, with the majority being steep and rocky. No public utilities are available on this parcel. Because of the inaccessibility to this reservation, many Ewiiaapaayp families moved and enrolled in other Kumeyaay tribes.
The second parcel, known as the Little Ewiiaapaayp Indian Reservation, is 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) of land located within Alpine, which was put into trust in 1986. That land is leased to the Southern Indian Health Council, which provides health care for seven Kumeyaay tribes as well as non-Natives living in the area.
In recent years, 13 people lived on seven houses on the reservation and bred horses. The only access to the reservation is on foot, since it is serviced by a dirt road, gated in several locations. In 1973, two of the five enrolled members lived on the reservation.
Government
The Ewiiaapaayp Band is headquartered in Alpine, CaliforniaAlpine, California
Alpine is a census-designated place in San Diego County, California. Alpine had a population of 14,236 at the 2010 census, up from 13,143 at the 2000 census.Alpine is the residence of former United States Representative Duncan Hunter...
. They are governed by a democratically elected tribal council, according to their constitution, ratified in 1973 and amended in 2002. They are a self-governance tribe, as outlined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. Robert Pinto is their current tribal chairperson.
Tribal members
Enrolled members include Michael Garcia; Harlan Pinto, Jr.; Harlan Pinto, Sr.; Gloria Pinto; Robert Pinto, Sr.; and James Robertson.Economic development
In 2006, the tribe formed Leaning Rock Water, a company providing bottled drinking water.Activities
The reservation hosts an annual three-day celebration, the Ewiiaapaayp Gathering, at Thing Valley ranch during the last week of July. Gates are opened, and the public is welcome. The gathering features birdsongs, basket weaving, acorn processing and other cultural demonstrations, camping, peon games, and a barbecue.External links
- Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians, official website