The Viejas (Baron Long) Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians of the Viejas Reservation, also called the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, is a federally recognized tribe of Kumeyaay Indians.[4]
In 1875, the Viejas Band shared the Capitan Grande Reservation along with the Barona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians, which consisted of lands in and around the present day El Capitan Reservoir. El Capitan Reservoir, forcibly purchased from the two tribes to provide water for San Diego, submerged what habitable land existed on the reservation. The two tribes jointly control this reservation. It is undeveloped but serves as an ecological preserve.[3]
The reservation is home to scrub oaks and chaparral. The name "Viejas" comes from the Spanish name for their land, "El Valle de Las Viejas" or "The Valley of the Old Women."[3] In 1973, 121 of the 127 enrolled members lived on the reservation.[2]
Demographics
Viejas Reservation, California – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
The Viejas Band is headquartered in Alpine, California. They are governed by a democratically elected, seven-person tribal council, who serve two-year terms. Their current administration as of March 2021 is as follows:
The tribe owns and operates Viejas Casino, Grove Steakhouse, Far East Winds, Mezz Deli, Daisy's Cafe, Harvest Buffet, V Lounge, DreamCatcher Lounge, and the 57-store Viejas Outlet Center. They also own the first Native American bank in California, Borrego Springs Bank, N.A., with branches in Alpine, Borrego Springs, and La Mesa. They own two recreational vehicle parks. Viejas Entertainment hosts concerts in a 1,500-seat outdoor arena and also promotes talent to casinos throughout the country.[10]
The tribe owns 50 percent of the Broadcast Company of the Americas, which operates a sports talk station, The Mighty 1090-AM in San Diego.[10]
Two major annual ceremonies on the reservation are the "Clearing of the Cemetery," when tribal members clean and pay their respects at the two tribal cemeteries, and Dia de las Animas or All Souls' Day.[12]
Eargle, Jr., Dolan H. Northern California Guide: Weaving the Past and Present. San Francisco: Tree Company Press, 2000. ISBN0-937401-10-2.
Pritzker, Barry M. A Native American Encyclopedia: History, Culture, and Peoples. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN978-0-19-513877-1.
Shipek, Florence C. "History of Southern California Mission Indians." Handbook of North American Indians. Volume ed. Heizer, Robert F. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 1978. 610–618. ISBN0-87474-187-4.
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