Showing posts with label Luiseno. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luiseno. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Old Pala
There's an Old Pala that has existed probably long before there was even a Pala but that's another story. There were and still are indigenous people living around Old Pala. They are called Luiseno. They were Mission Indians under the jurisdiction of the San Luis Rey Mission. They are a band of Luiseno. There are many Luiseno bands around Southern California. Many people at Pala have a mix of Luiseno blood. The Luiseno reservations are Soboba, Pechanga, Pala, Pauma, and Rincon.
In 1852 the Pala Luiseno singed a treaty with the U.S. Government. They were granted a reservation in 1875. In 1895 some Pala Luiseno were allotted land. This land was and continues to be recorded separately as part of the Old Pala Reservation.
There is another Tribe of indians called the Agua Caliente Cupeno. These were not Mission Indians. By all accounts they were hard working self sufficient people. The traditional homeland of the Cupeno is the village at Kupa also known as Warner's Hot Springs and before that Agua Caliente.
The Agua Caliente Cupeno continued to reside on their ancestral homeland until 1903 when due to a Supreme Court ruling the Cupeno were forced off their land. The U.S. Government in all its wisdom decided purchasing land right next to the Old Pala Luiseno Reservation was a good idea. There were other tracts of lands considered such as Monserate but in the end the old Salmons Ranch was purchased for the Cupeno.
There was a provision in the law that said something like the land was purchased for the Agua Caliente Cupeno (Warner Ranch Evictees) and other landless indians that had no home. This created sort of a land grab as people just showed up at Pala.
In May of 1903 several villages around Kupa were moved to Pala. In October of 1903 another tribe was forced to move to Pala. These were the San Felipe Indians, Iipay or Digueno. This was a separate lawsuit and separate removal.
One Cupeno legend is of Kisily Pewish. His mother was Luiseno from Soboba and Father was Cupeno. One day the "Southerners" or Digueno massacred everyone at the Village of Kupa except for Kisily Pewish and his Mother. They went back to Soboba where, just to short hand the story, Kisily grew up and retook Kupa from the Southerners by killing them all with the help of his magical bear and his mother.
So, the BIA in its infinite wisdom decided putting the Agua Caliente Cupeno next to the Pala Luiseno and then mixing in Iipay was a good idea.
Initially the BIA tried accounting for all the Indians separately. There are Luiseno, San Felipe, Cupeno, Cahuilla, and Yaqui all at Pala as well as some others. But as time went on to make administration easier on themselves the BIA just tried to say everyone was Pala. But tensions always arose and continue to this day among the different tribes and bands at Pala.
The Agua Caliente Cupeno historically have governed themselves through Custom and Tradition through Family Relationships. This continues to this day. However, in the 1960's the BIA forced the indians at Pala to abandon any official relationship with their blood lines and tried to merge all the blood into one calling it "Pala Blood" or blood of the band. This was an association of bands and tribes and not one tribe.
The problem with this, and the BIA knows it, is that it is against the law for one tribe to determine the membership of another (see Santa Clara Pueblo v. Martinez). This is precisely what is going on at Pala to this day. We have non-Cupenos deciding who are members. They are even changing blood degrees against the recommendations of the U.S. Government. What gives them a right to change anyone's blood degree?
Further, in the 1960's, the Cupeno at Pala knew there were several tribes at Pala. Thus they pushed to be included in Enrollment Ordinance No. 1 a provision not allowing tribal members to belong to more than one tribe. See below Section 1c.
The Agua Caliente Cupeno have always pushed for Kupa blood to be counted and the BIA has always denied it. Now, the BIA has changed the name of the Old Pala Luiseno to the Pala Band of Mission Indians illegally. That means technically Pala is now a 132 acre reservation with 800 acres of grazing rights all the rest belonging to the Agua Caliente Cupeno as well as other Warner Ranch Evictees. But for whatever reason the BIA does not see it that way. Go figure.
In 1852 the Pala Luiseno singed a treaty with the U.S. Government. They were granted a reservation in 1875. In 1895 some Pala Luiseno were allotted land. This land was and continues to be recorded separately as part of the Old Pala Reservation.
There is another Tribe of indians called the Agua Caliente Cupeno. These were not Mission Indians. By all accounts they were hard working self sufficient people. The traditional homeland of the Cupeno is the village at Kupa also known as Warner's Hot Springs and before that Agua Caliente.
The Agua Caliente Cupeno continued to reside on their ancestral homeland until 1903 when due to a Supreme Court ruling the Cupeno were forced off their land. The U.S. Government in all its wisdom decided purchasing land right next to the Old Pala Luiseno Reservation was a good idea. There were other tracts of lands considered such as Monserate but in the end the old Salmons Ranch was purchased for the Cupeno.
There was a provision in the law that said something like the land was purchased for the Agua Caliente Cupeno (Warner Ranch Evictees) and other landless indians that had no home. This created sort of a land grab as people just showed up at Pala.
In May of 1903 several villages around Kupa were moved to Pala. In October of 1903 another tribe was forced to move to Pala. These were the San Felipe Indians, Iipay or Digueno. This was a separate lawsuit and separate removal.
One Cupeno legend is of Kisily Pewish. His mother was Luiseno from Soboba and Father was Cupeno. One day the "Southerners" or Digueno massacred everyone at the Village of Kupa except for Kisily Pewish and his Mother. They went back to Soboba where, just to short hand the story, Kisily grew up and retook Kupa from the Southerners by killing them all with the help of his magical bear and his mother.
So, the BIA in its infinite wisdom decided putting the Agua Caliente Cupeno next to the Pala Luiseno and then mixing in Iipay was a good idea.
Initially the BIA tried accounting for all the Indians separately. There are Luiseno, San Felipe, Cupeno, Cahuilla, and Yaqui all at Pala as well as some others. But as time went on to make administration easier on themselves the BIA just tried to say everyone was Pala. But tensions always arose and continue to this day among the different tribes and bands at Pala.
The Agua Caliente Cupeno historically have governed themselves through Custom and Tradition through Family Relationships. This continues to this day. However, in the 1960's the BIA forced the indians at Pala to abandon any official relationship with their blood lines and tried to merge all the blood into one calling it "Pala Blood" or blood of the band. This was an association of bands and tribes and not one tribe.
The problem with this, and the BIA knows it, is that it is against the law for one tribe to determine the membership of another (see Santa Clara Pueblo v. Martinez). This is precisely what is going on at Pala to this day. We have non-Cupenos deciding who are members. They are even changing blood degrees against the recommendations of the U.S. Government. What gives them a right to change anyone's blood degree?
Further, in the 1960's, the Cupeno at Pala knew there were several tribes at Pala. Thus they pushed to be included in Enrollment Ordinance No. 1 a provision not allowing tribal members to belong to more than one tribe. See below Section 1c.
Click to Enlarge
The Agua Caliente Cupeno have always pushed for Kupa blood to be counted and the BIA has always denied it. Now, the BIA has changed the name of the Old Pala Luiseno to the Pala Band of Mission Indians illegally. That means technically Pala is now a 132 acre reservation with 800 acres of grazing rights all the rest belonging to the Agua Caliente Cupeno as well as other Warner Ranch Evictees. But for whatever reason the BIA does not see it that way. Go figure.
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
HISTORY OF INDIANS IN THE PALA VALLEY
I was sent an article for consideration and asked if I would post it to the blog. I decided I would.
The views, facts, and opinions expressed in the article below are strictly the views of the [ANONYMOUS] author. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the [ANONYMOUS] author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pala Watch.
On January 5, 1852, the United States took over California from the Spaniards and the
Temecula Treaty was signed by Indians in Southern California creating a government to
government relationship.
The Treaty was signed separately by Palino Coo-hac-ish (for Old Pala) and Jose Noca
Chan-gah-lang-ish (for Agua Caliente).
On December 27, 1875, President Ulysses S. Grant created, by executive order, 320
acres, located on the south side of the San Luis Rey River, for a reservation for the Old Pala
Luiseno tribe. At the same time he also created 960 acres for a reservation in Warner Springs for
the Agua Caliente tribe. This would become their ancestral homeland. Both reservations were
intended for permanent use and occupancy.
Between 1891 and 1895, Old Pala made/gave allotments to its 15 adult members. Their
children were never allotted land but were still considered members of Old Pala.
Old Pala is referred to as the Luiseno Band of Mission Indians. The Luiseno Band is
NOT a tribe. This name only recognizes them as Indians in the San Luis Rey Mission District.
They may be a band from the Kumeyaay.
Old Pala is a reservation that never had any form of government or a tribal committee.
Robert Ardilla would act as Captain or Spokesman.
After the 1903 arrival of Agua Caliente (Cupa) to the Pala Valley, many problems arose
between them and Old Pala.
Shortly after their (Agua Caliente) arrival there was a death within their tribe. Old Pala
would not allow Agua Caliente (Cupa) to bury the dead in the cemetery next to the Old Pala
Mission. This prompted the Agua Caliente (Cupa) tribe to create their own cemetery called the
Cupa Cemetery.
Another problem arose when members from Old Pala would deliberately let their
livestock destroy the crops of the Agua Caliente (Cupa) tribe. There was also an irrigation
schedule which allowed a specified amount oftime and water to be given to each crop grower.
Members from Old Pala would open the water valves at any time. This would limit the water
given to next crop grower cutting their time/water short and created a domino effect down the
line.
In 1934, a secretarial election was held in Pala Valley with the purpose of joining Old
Pala and Agua Caliente (Cupa). This was voted down by both sides, leaving each one
independent from the other.
In a letter to the BIA, dated March 4, 1940, Marion Scott requested to become a member
of the Rincon Reservation. She was denied because of her membership to Old Pala.
Sometime in the late 1940's or early l 950's, she (Marion Scott) requested to be enrolled
in the Agua Caliente (Cupa) rolls. The Cupa members did not want to let her in. But, after the
third request she was voted in, along with her whole family which would include Robert Ardilla.
This should have never taken place and it was wrong for the Chairman to allow it. There
was no way for Marion to show she was a direct descendant of Cupa (Agua Caliente) and
according to the Articles of Association (for Agua Caliente) this was a requirement to be enrolled.
BIA records from March 7, 1940 show that Marion Scott is an enrolled from Old Pala.
Since members cannot be enrolled in two different places does this mean she and Robert Ardilla
must relinquish their allotments to the Agua Caliente (Cupa) tribe? And, if so, would Agua
Caliente (Cupa) then have complete control of their allotments?
On January 5, 1852, Jose Noca Chan-gah-lang-ish signed the Temecula Treaty. This created a
government to government relationship between the Agua Caliente (Cupa) Tribe and the United States.
On December 27, 1875, President Ulysses S. Grant created, by executive order, 960 acres for a
reservation for the Agua Caliente tribe to live on as their ancestral homeland.
Long before their removal to Pala, the Agua Caliente (Cupa) people have existed since prehistory
as an historic tribe and are not Mission Indians. They occupied their traditional homeland at Warner
Springs since the time of their creation.
Five years after President Grant set aside their reservation lands at Warner Springs, President
Rutherford B. Hayes revoked this. This land revocation lead to the removal from Warner's Ranch.
There were many sites considered when deciding where to send the Agua Caliente (Cupa) tribe: Rancho Santa Margarita (Camp Pendleton), Panky Ranch and Pala. Because Pala had a mission and the Agua Caliente Tribe had a small chapel near Warner's, Pala Valley was chosen.
Over 700 acres were purchased from ranchers in the Pala Valley for the removal and placement
of the Agua Caliente tribe.
When the Agua Caliente (Cupa) tribe arrived in Pala in 1903 they were put in tents until the prefabricated homes would arrive. These homes came from New York, traveling around the Cape to San Diego and eventually make their way by wagon to Pala.
Pala was set up like the village at Warner Springs. The head of each household was given an allotment for a home, 1.75-2 acres on the irrigation system, and 5-6 acres of land for dry farming.
One question arises: Why did their (Agua Caliente) tribal name not come with them? They
became referred to as Pala Band, Pala Band of Mission Indians or Pala Band of Luiseno Indians.
Why are we referred to as Pala Band of Mission Indians (PBMI)? If Robert Smith can make this
change, why not change it to Agua Caliente Indian Reservation like it was when they were moved from Warners? And furthermore, why is Robert being referred to as Chairman of the Luiseno Band of Mission Indians? He has no authority to be their spokesman.
Remember, Agua Caliente was a recognized tribe, not a band. How do they lose their tribal name
simply from moving from one location to another? If it's that simple to rename the tribe PBMI it should be just as simple to give them their correct name back. Pala Band of Mission Indians is not a tribe.
About two weeks after Agua Caliente's arrival, the people from Puerta la Cruz and San Felipe,
who had originally refused to leave the Warner Springs area, were moved to Pala by way of horse and
wagon owned by Remijio Lugo.
Remijio Lugo was also put on the Cupa rolls. This would also be a mistake. He claims he was
born in Sulfer Springs, Cahuilla and is a member of Morongo. He would also not be able to show his
direct descent from Agua Caliente (Cupa), which is a requirement for enrollment with them.
This brief history explains why we all hear that this family or that family do not belong on the
rolls.
There are many members that serve the tribe that need to understand their history. It may upset a
lot of people but it is something that should be known.
The views, facts, and opinions expressed in the article below are strictly the views of the [ANONYMOUS] author. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the [ANONYMOUS] author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Pala Watch.
HISTORY OF INDIANS IN THE PALA VALLEY
*** By Anonymous ***
Temecula Treaty was signed by Indians in Southern California creating a government to
government relationship.
The Treaty was signed separately by Palino Coo-hac-ish (for Old Pala) and Jose Noca
Chan-gah-lang-ish (for Agua Caliente).
On December 27, 1875, President Ulysses S. Grant created, by executive order, 320
acres, located on the south side of the San Luis Rey River, for a reservation for the Old Pala
Luiseno tribe. At the same time he also created 960 acres for a reservation in Warner Springs for
the Agua Caliente tribe. This would become their ancestral homeland. Both reservations were
intended for permanent use and occupancy.
PEOPLE FROM OLD PALA
children were never allotted land but were still considered members of Old Pala.
Old Pala is referred to as the Luiseno Band of Mission Indians. The Luiseno Band is
NOT a tribe. This name only recognizes them as Indians in the San Luis Rey Mission District.
They may be a band from the Kumeyaay.
Old Pala is a reservation that never had any form of government or a tribal committee.
Robert Ardilla would act as Captain or Spokesman.
After the 1903 arrival of Agua Caliente (Cupa) to the Pala Valley, many problems arose
between them and Old Pala.
Shortly after their (Agua Caliente) arrival there was a death within their tribe. Old Pala
would not allow Agua Caliente (Cupa) to bury the dead in the cemetery next to the Old Pala
Mission. This prompted the Agua Caliente (Cupa) tribe to create their own cemetery called the
Cupa Cemetery.
Another problem arose when members from Old Pala would deliberately let their
livestock destroy the crops of the Agua Caliente (Cupa) tribe. There was also an irrigation
schedule which allowed a specified amount oftime and water to be given to each crop grower.
Members from Old Pala would open the water valves at any time. This would limit the water
given to next crop grower cutting their time/water short and created a domino effect down the
line.
In 1934, a secretarial election was held in Pala Valley with the purpose of joining Old
Pala and Agua Caliente (Cupa). This was voted down by both sides, leaving each one
independent from the other.
In a letter to the BIA, dated March 4, 1940, Marion Scott requested to become a member
of the Rincon Reservation. She was denied because of her membership to Old Pala.
Sometime in the late 1940's or early l 950's, she (Marion Scott) requested to be enrolled
in the Agua Caliente (Cupa) rolls. The Cupa members did not want to let her in. But, after the
third request she was voted in, along with her whole family which would include Robert Ardilla.
This should have never taken place and it was wrong for the Chairman to allow it. There
was no way for Marion to show she was a direct descendant of Cupa (Agua Caliente) and
according to the Articles of Association (for Agua Caliente) this was a requirement to be enrolled.
BIA records from March 7, 1940 show that Marion Scott is an enrolled from Old Pala.
Since members cannot be enrolled in two different places does this mean she and Robert Ardilla
must relinquish their allotments to the Agua Caliente (Cupa) tribe? And, if so, would Agua
Caliente (Cupa) then have complete control of their allotments?
PEOPLE FROM AGUA CALIENTE (CUPENO/CUPA)
government to government relationship between the Agua Caliente (Cupa) Tribe and the United States.
On December 27, 1875, President Ulysses S. Grant created, by executive order, 960 acres for a
reservation for the Agua Caliente tribe to live on as their ancestral homeland.
Long before their removal to Pala, the Agua Caliente (Cupa) people have existed since prehistory
as an historic tribe and are not Mission Indians. They occupied their traditional homeland at Warner
Springs since the time of their creation.
Five years after President Grant set aside their reservation lands at Warner Springs, President
Rutherford B. Hayes revoked this. This land revocation lead to the removal from Warner's Ranch.
There were many sites considered when deciding where to send the Agua Caliente (Cupa) tribe: Rancho Santa Margarita (Camp Pendleton), Panky Ranch and Pala. Because Pala had a mission and the Agua Caliente Tribe had a small chapel near Warner's, Pala Valley was chosen.
Over 700 acres were purchased from ranchers in the Pala Valley for the removal and placement
of the Agua Caliente tribe.
When the Agua Caliente (Cupa) tribe arrived in Pala in 1903 they were put in tents until the prefabricated homes would arrive. These homes came from New York, traveling around the Cape to San Diego and eventually make their way by wagon to Pala.
Pala was set up like the village at Warner Springs. The head of each household was given an allotment for a home, 1.75-2 acres on the irrigation system, and 5-6 acres of land for dry farming.
One question arises: Why did their (Agua Caliente) tribal name not come with them? They
became referred to as Pala Band, Pala Band of Mission Indians or Pala Band of Luiseno Indians.
Why are we referred to as Pala Band of Mission Indians (PBMI)? If Robert Smith can make this
change, why not change it to Agua Caliente Indian Reservation like it was when they were moved from Warners? And furthermore, why is Robert being referred to as Chairman of the Luiseno Band of Mission Indians? He has no authority to be their spokesman.
Remember, Agua Caliente was a recognized tribe, not a band. How do they lose their tribal name
simply from moving from one location to another? If it's that simple to rename the tribe PBMI it should be just as simple to give them their correct name back. Pala Band of Mission Indians is not a tribe.
About two weeks after Agua Caliente's arrival, the people from Puerta la Cruz and San Felipe,
who had originally refused to leave the Warner Springs area, were moved to Pala by way of horse and
wagon owned by Remijio Lugo.
Remijio Lugo was also put on the Cupa rolls. This would also be a mistake. He claims he was
born in Sulfer Springs, Cahuilla and is a member of Morongo. He would also not be able to show his
direct descent from Agua Caliente (Cupa), which is a requirement for enrollment with them.
This brief history explains why we all hear that this family or that family do not belong on the
rolls.
There are many members that serve the tribe that need to understand their history. It may upset a
lot of people but it is something that should be known.
Friday, October 20, 2017
To The Honorable Robert Smith
Robert Smith, Chairman of the Pala Luisenos, you owe and must pay, or rather you will make tribal members pay as always for YOUR actions.
11 Oct 2017 Robert Smith Pala Trespass by kupa on Scribd
Thursday, January 28, 2016
From Where to From There
How many generations need to pass before someone can claim to be instead of from where but to from there?
I wonder about the 3rd generation Englishman living in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1690 making the claim that he is "from there" while standing next to a member of the Wampanoag Nation. Was he really from there or was he from England?
Picture the Pala Valley prior to European Contact. Who livered there? There were indigenous people living all along what is now called the San Luis Rey River. These people are now referred to as the Luiseño. But that's not what they called themselves until the Spanish came.
The Spanish put all the Indians living along what they called the San Luis Rey River and into the Temecula Valley under the jurisdiction of the San Luis Rey Mission. They called them Luiseño. But that's not what they called themselves.
Today the Luiseño Nation is spread among several bands throughout Southern California. There are 6 Federally Recognized Bands: The La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, The Pala Band of Luiseño Indians, The Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians, The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, and The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians.
The territories we refer to today as California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico were under Spanish control until Mexican Independence in 1820. After which the territories came under Mexican Rule. The United States fought a war against Mexico and acquired the territories under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed in 1848.
The United States all of a sudden found themselves having to administer to all the various tribes in California. In Northern California this was not so bad for the U.S. Government as many of the tribes were simply slaughtered. The people living there at the time did not need pesky Indians standing between them and their gold. Southern California was a bit more complicated.
In Southern California many of the various tribes played an integral part of the economy. They often worked as farm hands and helped raise cattle. The owners of the large Ranchos around California often employed the Natives in one fashion or another and relied heavily on their labor. No doubt they were overworked and underpaid which lead to them being integral to the economy.
In 1851 the U.S. Government signed treaties with the various tribes in Southern California. In 1875 a reservation was established at Pala for the Luiseño living there. About 40 miles east of Pala the Cupeno were living at their village of Kupa also known as Warner's Hot Springs aka Agua Caliente in Rancho Valle de San Jose (Warner's Ranch). The Cupeno should have obtained title to their land under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo but the U.S. Government never informed them they only had one year to make this claim.
Instead The Cupeno had to fight for their inherent right to live on their ancestral homeland. Juan Jose Warner was given title to the land in 1844. After the Mexican American War Juan Jose had to refile his claim to the land as all land owners had to do at the time. Eventually former California Governor Downey ended up with title to the land and started eviction procedures against the Cupeno in 1892. Downey died and the new owners continued on with the eviction procedures.
The case went all the way to the Supreme Court where it was ordered that the Cupeno be removed from Warner's Hot Springs. Suitable land was to be bought for the Cupeno to live on. But the Cupeno at the time felt no land could compare to their home. The original plan was to force the Cupeno on to land purchased at Monserrate Ranch near Fallbrook. The Sequoya League told Congress there was no water at Monserrate. So the search began for more suitable land.
Eventually the U.S. Government settled on land adjacent to the existing Pala Luiseño Reservation. In 1903 the forced removal of the indigenous populations living at and around Warner's Hot Springs began. There were several Indian villages in the Rancho Valle de San Jose besides the Cupeno. These other villages were Luiseño at Puerta la Cruz and Puerta Chiquita, and the Iipai (Digueno) villages of Mataguay, San José, and San Felipe. The Cupeno resided at their main village at Kupa.
In May of 1903 the Cupeno were forced off their ancestral land and on to land at Pala along with the other villages except San Felipe. In September of 1903 the San Felipe who had their own separate court case to retain title to their land, lost their battle, and were also forced on to Pala. At the same time other Mission Indians showed up, namely Cahuilla, as the land at Pala was also purchased for landless or homeless Indians.
So who lives at Pala? A mix of various tribes including the Cupeno, Luiseño, Iipai, Cahuilla, and Yaqui. Who is from there? Old Pala Luiseño are from there. Everyone else was forced there. How many generations need to pass before everyone else becomes from there? Some people apparently think they are more from there than others even though none of them are really from there to begin with. How do we get to from where to from there?
I wonder about the 3rd generation Englishman living in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1690 making the claim that he is "from there" while standing next to a member of the Wampanoag Nation. Was he really from there or was he from England?
Picture the Pala Valley prior to European Contact. Who livered there? There were indigenous people living all along what is now called the San Luis Rey River. These people are now referred to as the Luiseño. But that's not what they called themselves until the Spanish came.
The Spanish put all the Indians living along what they called the San Luis Rey River and into the Temecula Valley under the jurisdiction of the San Luis Rey Mission. They called them Luiseño. But that's not what they called themselves.
Today the Luiseño Nation is spread among several bands throughout Southern California. There are 6 Federally Recognized Bands: The La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, The Pala Band of Luiseño Indians, The Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians, The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, and The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians.
The territories we refer to today as California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico were under Spanish control until Mexican Independence in 1820. After which the territories came under Mexican Rule. The United States fought a war against Mexico and acquired the territories under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed in 1848.
The United States all of a sudden found themselves having to administer to all the various tribes in California. In Northern California this was not so bad for the U.S. Government as many of the tribes were simply slaughtered. The people living there at the time did not need pesky Indians standing between them and their gold. Southern California was a bit more complicated.
In Southern California many of the various tribes played an integral part of the economy. They often worked as farm hands and helped raise cattle. The owners of the large Ranchos around California often employed the Natives in one fashion or another and relied heavily on their labor. No doubt they were overworked and underpaid which lead to them being integral to the economy.
In 1851 the U.S. Government signed treaties with the various tribes in Southern California. In 1875 a reservation was established at Pala for the Luiseño living there. About 40 miles east of Pala the Cupeno were living at their village of Kupa also known as Warner's Hot Springs aka Agua Caliente in Rancho Valle de San Jose (Warner's Ranch). The Cupeno should have obtained title to their land under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo but the U.S. Government never informed them they only had one year to make this claim.
Instead The Cupeno had to fight for their inherent right to live on their ancestral homeland. Juan Jose Warner was given title to the land in 1844. After the Mexican American War Juan Jose had to refile his claim to the land as all land owners had to do at the time. Eventually former California Governor Downey ended up with title to the land and started eviction procedures against the Cupeno in 1892. Downey died and the new owners continued on with the eviction procedures.
The case went all the way to the Supreme Court where it was ordered that the Cupeno be removed from Warner's Hot Springs. Suitable land was to be bought for the Cupeno to live on. But the Cupeno at the time felt no land could compare to their home. The original plan was to force the Cupeno on to land purchased at Monserrate Ranch near Fallbrook. The Sequoya League told Congress there was no water at Monserrate. So the search began for more suitable land.
Eventually the U.S. Government settled on land adjacent to the existing Pala Luiseño Reservation. In 1903 the forced removal of the indigenous populations living at and around Warner's Hot Springs began. There were several Indian villages in the Rancho Valle de San Jose besides the Cupeno. These other villages were Luiseño at Puerta la Cruz and Puerta Chiquita, and the Iipai (Digueno) villages of Mataguay, San José, and San Felipe. The Cupeno resided at their main village at Kupa.
In May of 1903 the Cupeno were forced off their ancestral land and on to land at Pala along with the other villages except San Felipe. In September of 1903 the San Felipe who had their own separate court case to retain title to their land, lost their battle, and were also forced on to Pala. At the same time other Mission Indians showed up, namely Cahuilla, as the land at Pala was also purchased for landless or homeless Indians.
So who lives at Pala? A mix of various tribes including the Cupeno, Luiseño, Iipai, Cahuilla, and Yaqui. Who is from there? Old Pala Luiseño are from there. Everyone else was forced there. How many generations need to pass before everyone else becomes from there? Some people apparently think they are more from there than others even though none of them are really from there to begin with. How do we get to from where to from there?
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Robert Smith - Chariman of the Luisenos
Once again BIA Pacific Regional Director Amy Dutschke refers to Robert Smith as Chairman of the Luisenos in April of 2015. Yesterday this video was published claiming Robert Smith to be Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians. In this video Robert says "As chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, I am dedicated to preserving our place in California’s history."
What's your place in California History Robert? Trying to claim the Cupeno and Luiseno are "one people"? Disenrolling and disenfranchising descendants of Warner Ranch Evictees? Conducting business as Chairman of the Luisenos and masquerading as Chairman of PBMI?
Sunday, May 25, 2014
The Good Old Days
Some commenters have lamented they wish Pala could go back to the good old days. They say the casino has brought nothing but trouble and caused all this fighting. There is probably some truth to that but I think we have to be honest with ourselves about just how good those good old days were.
I remember in the early 1990's people would fight over a $300/year or $500/year per capita check. Some would try to make it to where you had to live on the reservation in order to receive a per capita check.
I remember constantly hearing those that live off the reservation being put down as less Indian and asked why they wouldn't come back to live on the reservation. Then after the casino was build some did come back to live on the reservation only to be told they don't belong.
But we can go much farther back than that. Tensions existed between Old Pala and those removed from Warner's. There was a time when it was thought there were two reservations at Pala - One for the Kupa and one for Old Pala. This still exists to this day where you can read articles where it refers to Robert as Chairman of the Pala Band of Luiseno Indians and others where he is referred to as the Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians.
The Federally Recognized name of Pala is Pala Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pala Reservation.
We can see some of those tensions described in this letter from the BIA.
7 Feb 1951 Pala H.W Gilmore Letter BIA District Agent to Area Director Mr. James B .Ring
Even before the removal the Kupa were embattled in years of legal proceedings trying to keep their land.
How far do we need to go back before we get to the good old days? When the Spanish arrived and just declared they owned the land but let the Kupa live on it? When land ownership of Warner's was transferred and somehow the Kupa were allowed to remain but had to work as serfs?
Should we go all the way back to pre-European contact? Ok, let's go all the way back to the story of Kisily Pewish where all the Kupa except for him were massacred. Good old days?
Did the good old days ever exist? I am sure there were moments of time - stretches of a few years here and there - where things were pleasant. For the rest of the time Warners's and Pala have been in turmoil for hundreds of years. If it wasn't being conquered by the Spanish then it was being turned over to U.S. authorities after the Mexican American War. It was having land taken and traditional culture squelched.
It was being made against the law to speak your language and forcing their children to speak English. It was being forced to give up their traditional religious practices in exchange for Catholicism. It was many things from the exploitation of cheap labor and the outright theft of land along with its natural resources.
Were there ever good times? I am sure there were times that had their moments of good.
As for the good old days which ones do we go back to?
I remember in the early 1990's people would fight over a $300/year or $500/year per capita check. Some would try to make it to where you had to live on the reservation in order to receive a per capita check.
I remember constantly hearing those that live off the reservation being put down as less Indian and asked why they wouldn't come back to live on the reservation. Then after the casino was build some did come back to live on the reservation only to be told they don't belong.
But we can go much farther back than that. Tensions existed between Old Pala and those removed from Warner's. There was a time when it was thought there were two reservations at Pala - One for the Kupa and one for Old Pala. This still exists to this day where you can read articles where it refers to Robert as Chairman of the Pala Band of Luiseno Indians and others where he is referred to as the Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians.
The Federally Recognized name of Pala is Pala Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pala Reservation.
We can see some of those tensions described in this letter from the BIA.
7 Feb 1951 Pala H.W Gilmore Letter BIA District Agent to Area Director Mr. James B .Ring
Even before the removal the Kupa were embattled in years of legal proceedings trying to keep their land.
How far do we need to go back before we get to the good old days? When the Spanish arrived and just declared they owned the land but let the Kupa live on it? When land ownership of Warner's was transferred and somehow the Kupa were allowed to remain but had to work as serfs?
Should we go all the way back to pre-European contact? Ok, let's go all the way back to the story of Kisily Pewish where all the Kupa except for him were massacred. Good old days?
Did the good old days ever exist? I am sure there were moments of time - stretches of a few years here and there - where things were pleasant. For the rest of the time Warners's and Pala have been in turmoil for hundreds of years. If it wasn't being conquered by the Spanish then it was being turned over to U.S. authorities after the Mexican American War. It was having land taken and traditional culture squelched.
It was being made against the law to speak your language and forcing their children to speak English. It was being forced to give up their traditional religious practices in exchange for Catholicism. It was many things from the exploitation of cheap labor and the outright theft of land along with its natural resources.
Were there ever good times? I am sure there were times that had their moments of good.
As for the good old days which ones do we go back to?
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Tale of Two Pala Reservations - Trouble In Paradise
As humans we have a habit of romanticizing the past. This is common in nearly all human cultures. The truth is life is not always good for humans. Since the dawn of our history we have been fighting each other and killing each other.
Often the life of indigenous peoples not just in American but all over the world is also romanticized. Indians are sometimes thought of as "ignorant savages" living in harmony with the land and nature. But we know indigenous people also fought each other, killed each other, and engaged in warfare albeit not on the scale of the Europeans.
We also know indigenous people suffered like everyone else from disease, climate changes, food shortages, and fatal injuries. Death is universal and all cultures have had to develop ways to deal with death.
For Pala there might be a tendency to think of the "Old Ways" and the old times as being better. Some may even think life at Kupa prior to the removal was wonderful and idyllic - some sort of paradise lost. It wasn't. There were hard times just like there are for all people. The Kupa were harassed and did some of their own harassing.
Ultimately the Kupa were forced onto Pala where Luiseno Indians were already inhabiting. There was already a reservation established before the Kupa arrived. Some may think that the modern strife Pala is experiencing is some new development due to the casino and in the past things were somehow better and everyone got along.
This isn't really the case. From the time of the removal going forward squabbles have broken out between various groups and families. Early on it typically had to do with allotments. The Kupa were entitled to allotments since they were to receive land in lieu of the land they lost at Kupa (Warner's Hot Springs). The Old Pala (Luiseno) also thought they should receive allotments.
This tension existed and persisted well into the 1950's.
This 1951 letter from BIA District Agent H.W. Gilmore to BIA Area Director James B. Ring describes some of this friction:
7 Feb 1951 Pala H.W Gilmore Letter BIA District Agent to Area Director Mr. James B .Ring
This 1957 letter from the BIA Sacramento Area Office addresses whether there are two Pala Indian Reservations or not:
1 Jul 1957 060 - Pala 1957 Letter from the Sacramento Area BIA Office Regarding Two Pala Reservations
One may think "well that was then and this is now" with regard to Two Reservations only even as recently as last year Pala is referred to as the Pala Band of Luiseno Indians.
The following are the minutes from the June 20th, 2011 Fallbrook Community Planning Group where Robert Smith is listed as the Chairman of the Pala Band of Luiseno Indians on page 2:
20 June 2011 Fallbrook Community Planning Group Minutes
Also, on an EPA webpage dated April 2012 Pala is referred to as the Pala Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pala Reservation.
The following letter from BIA Area Director James B. Ring describes Mrs. Juliana Calac's opposition to BIA supervision of the tribe:
7 Mar 1952 Pala Letter from Area Director James B. Ring
This November 8th, 1957 letter from BIA Field Representative Orlando Garcia goes over some of the disagreements over land assignments:
8 Nov 1957 Pala Letter from BIA Field Representative Orlando Garcia
As one can see tensions and squabbles have been a part of Pala's history for well over 100 years. The mass disenrollments that recently occured at Pala are a new thing but tensions between those removed from Warner's and those that live at Old Pala have existed and persisted since 1903.
And the question as to whether there are two Pala Indian reservations or not? That question still seems to persist today. Are we the Pala Band of Mission Indians, The Pala Band of Luiseno Indians, the Pala Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pala Reservation, or maybe all three?
I can remember before the casino days people would fight over a once per year $300 per capita payment from Pala's Sand and Gravel operations. That was big money in those days.
Often the life of indigenous peoples not just in American but all over the world is also romanticized. Indians are sometimes thought of as "ignorant savages" living in harmony with the land and nature. But we know indigenous people also fought each other, killed each other, and engaged in warfare albeit not on the scale of the Europeans.
We also know indigenous people suffered like everyone else from disease, climate changes, food shortages, and fatal injuries. Death is universal and all cultures have had to develop ways to deal with death.
For Pala there might be a tendency to think of the "Old Ways" and the old times as being better. Some may even think life at Kupa prior to the removal was wonderful and idyllic - some sort of paradise lost. It wasn't. There were hard times just like there are for all people. The Kupa were harassed and did some of their own harassing.
Ultimately the Kupa were forced onto Pala where Luiseno Indians were already inhabiting. There was already a reservation established before the Kupa arrived. Some may think that the modern strife Pala is experiencing is some new development due to the casino and in the past things were somehow better and everyone got along.
This isn't really the case. From the time of the removal going forward squabbles have broken out between various groups and families. Early on it typically had to do with allotments. The Kupa were entitled to allotments since they were to receive land in lieu of the land they lost at Kupa (Warner's Hot Springs). The Old Pala (Luiseno) also thought they should receive allotments.
This tension existed and persisted well into the 1950's.
This 1951 letter from BIA District Agent H.W. Gilmore to BIA Area Director James B. Ring describes some of this friction:
7 Feb 1951 Pala H.W Gilmore Letter BIA District Agent to Area Director Mr. James B .Ring
This 1957 letter from the BIA Sacramento Area Office addresses whether there are two Pala Indian Reservations or not:
1 Jul 1957 060 - Pala 1957 Letter from the Sacramento Area BIA Office Regarding Two Pala Reservations
One may think "well that was then and this is now" with regard to Two Reservations only even as recently as last year Pala is referred to as the Pala Band of Luiseno Indians.
The following are the minutes from the June 20th, 2011 Fallbrook Community Planning Group where Robert Smith is listed as the Chairman of the Pala Band of Luiseno Indians on page 2:
20 June 2011 Fallbrook Community Planning Group Minutes
Also, on an EPA webpage dated April 2012 Pala is referred to as the Pala Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pala Reservation.
The following letter from BIA Area Director James B. Ring describes Mrs. Juliana Calac's opposition to BIA supervision of the tribe:
7 Mar 1952 Pala Letter from Area Director James B. Ring
This November 8th, 1957 letter from BIA Field Representative Orlando Garcia goes over some of the disagreements over land assignments:
8 Nov 1957 Pala Letter from BIA Field Representative Orlando Garcia
As one can see tensions and squabbles have been a part of Pala's history for well over 100 years. The mass disenrollments that recently occured at Pala are a new thing but tensions between those removed from Warner's and those that live at Old Pala have existed and persisted since 1903.
And the question as to whether there are two Pala Indian reservations or not? That question still seems to persist today. Are we the Pala Band of Mission Indians, The Pala Band of Luiseno Indians, the Pala Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pala Reservation, or maybe all three?
I can remember before the casino days people would fight over a once per year $300 per capita payment from Pala's Sand and Gravel operations. That was big money in those days.
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