| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 600 adults 300 kids[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States (California) | |
| Languages | |
| Ipai,[2]Tipai,[3]English | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional tribal religion, Christianity (Roman Catholicism)[4] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| otherKumeyaay tribes,Cocopa, Quechan,Paipai, andKiliwa |
Barona Reservation | |
|---|---|
Reservation | |
 Interactive map of Barona Reservation | |
| Coordinates:32°57′N116°50′W / 32.950°N 116.833°W /32.950; -116.833 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Established | 1932 |
| Population (1973) | |
• Total | 125 |
TheBarona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians of the Barona Reservation is afederally recognized tribe ofKumeyaay Indians,[4] who are sometimes known asMission Indians.
In 1875, the tribe, along with theViejas Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians, controlled theCapitan Grande Reservation, which consisted of barren, uninhabitable mountain lands. TheEl Capitan Reservoir, forcibly purchased from the two tribes to provide water forSan 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.[5]
TheBarona Reservation (32°57′19″N116°50′39″W / 32.95528°N 116.84417°W /32.95528; -116.84417) is a federalIndian reservation located inSan Diego County, California, nearLakeside[1] and theCleveland National Forest. It takes its name from the Mexican land grantCañada de San Vicente y Mesa del Padre Barona, named in turn after Padre José Barona, a friar atMission San Diego de Alcalá from 1798 until he transferred to Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1811.[6] Founded in 1932, the reservation covers 5,181 acres (20.97 km2). Much of the highland valley has good farmland. The reservation hosts several ranches, a chapel, tribal offices, a community center, and a ballpark created by the tribe.[3] In 1973, 125 of the 156 enrolled members lived on the reservation.[2] The nearest community isSan Diego Country Estates, which adjoins the reservation's northeast side.
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[7] | Pop 2010[8] | Pop 2020[9] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 80 | 68 | 80 | 14.93% | 10.63% | 10.58% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.13% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 326 | 460 | 516 | 60.82% | 71.88% | 68.25% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0.56% | 0.16% | 0.53% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.94% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.16% | 0.00% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 29 | 4 | 41 | 5.41% | 0.63% | 5.42% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 98 | 100 | 114 | 18.28% | 15.63% | 15.08% |
| Total | 536 | 640 | 756 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The Barona Band of Mission Indians is headquartered inLakeside, California.[10] They are governed by a democratically elected, seven-person tribal council, who serve four-year terms. The Tribe, also joined by Traditional Headsman As of May 2024, the council members are:[11]
Traditional Tribal Singer’s
The tribe owns and operatesBarona Resort & Casino, Barona Creek Golf Club, Barona Steakhouse, Sage Café, HoWan Noodle Shop, and several other restaurants, all in Lakeside.[12] The tribe is developing an energy project for 2026, partially funded by theCalifornia Energy Commission.[13]
