The distinct community of the present-day Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (“the Tribe”) originated in the lineages, villages and cultures of the period preceding the establishment of Mission San Fernando (“Mission SFR”), from which the natives received the name Fernandeño. Mission SFR was established on September 8, 1797 at the village of Achoicominga and, for years following, enslaved Native Americans from the lineages in the geographically surrounding areas, ranging from present-day Simi Valley, San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and Antelope Valley (see map). Today, the Tribe consists of a voluntary coalition of those lineages bound together by a Tribal constitution.

Under Mexican rule, the ancestors owned and maintained several land grants that were held in trust by the Mexican government, including Rancho Escorpion (Chatsworth), Rancho Encino (Encino), Rancho Cahuenga (Burbank), Rancho Tujunga (Tujunga), which were meant to be preserved in the American period. However, land in northern Los Angeles County, particularly areas with natural water sources, became extraordinarily valuable, and the local state courts were against our ancestors’ claims to the land, which made it impossible for the San Fernando Mission Indian defendants to affirm rights to land that would have formed the foundation for a reservation. 

 Today, the Tribe represents the continuity of the regional pattern of politically independent lineages related through selected intermarriage and regional ceremonial participation. This coalition consists of three principle lineages traditionally known as Siutcabit, Tujubit, and Kavwevit. As the lineage members were forced to speak English in the late 19th Century, they adopted the surname of their lineage leader. Today, these three lineages are known as the Ortega lineage (representing ancestor Maria Rita Alipas Ortega), the Garcia lineage (representing ancestor Josephine Leyvas Garcia), and the Ortiz lineage (representing ancestor Joseph Ortiz).

The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians’ Tribal Headquarters is located in the City of San Fernando, California. The Tribal Administration is responsible for the day-to-day activities that tie together the many departments within the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. Departments include Tribal Historic and Cultural Preservation – consults for the preservation of Tribal Cultural Resources under environmental protection laws such as CEQA, AB52, and SB18, Education and Cultural Learning - provides holistic services for K-12 Native youth who currently reside on FTBMI ancestral lands,  Health and Social Wellness – advocates for community wellness through mind, body, health, and spirit, as well as Tataviam children in juvenile dependency cases, and the Office of Tribal Citizenship – oversees Tribal citizenship applications.

The Tribe has partnered with the City of San Fernando and CORE to bring additional COVID-19 testing opportunities to its homelands. Please check the Tribe’s website for testing dates/locations. The Tribe also provides COVID-19 relief packages to residents in its homelands of Simi, San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys. Click here to apply for services.

The Tribe oversees Pukúu Cultural Community Services, a non-profit that operates numerous programs to strengthen Indian identity, promote self-sufficiency, and nurture healthy family interactions. Pukúu provides One Stop Emergency Services, COVID-19 relief packages, and scholarships for students pursuing higher education, and manages Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center located 14 miles up the Highway 2 in the Angeles National Forest. The Tribe also oversees the Tataviam Land Conservancy, a non-profit organization focused on protecting the traditional territory of the Fernandeño Tataviam people through protective land management, cooperative agreements, and innovative cultural and educational programming.

For more information, visit www.tataviam-nsn.us

Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians Historical Tribal Ancestral Territory