 Flag of the Ewiiaapaayp Band | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 7 (2004)[1] 16 (1990)[2] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States (California) | |
| Languages | |
| Kumeyaay,[3][4]English | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional tribal religion, Christianity (Roman Catholicism)[5] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| otherKumeyaay tribes,Cocopa, Quechan,Paipai, andKiliwa |
TheEwiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians, formerly known as theCuyapaipe Community of Diegueño Mission Indians of the Cuyapaipe Reservation, is afederally recognized tribe ofKumeyaay Indians,[5] who are sometimes known asMission Indians, located inSan Diego County, California. "Ewiiaapaayp" isKumeyaay for "leaning rock," a prominent feature on the reservation.[3]
TheEwiiaapaayp Indian Reservation, formerly known as the Cuyapaipe Reservation (32°50′30″N116°23′08″W / 32.84167°N 116.38556°W /32.84167; -116.38556), is a federalIndian reservation located in theLaguna Mountains of southernEast County, San Diego.[6] The reservation was created in 1891 by the US Congress.
Two parcels of land form the reservation. The main Ewiiaapaayp Reservation is 4,102.5 acres (16.602 km2) large, located nearMount Laguna, and 19 miles (31 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.[1]
The second parcel, known as the Little Ewiiaapaayp Indian Reservation, is 10 acres (40,000 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.[1]
In recent years, 13 people lived on seven houses on the reservation and bred horses. The only access to the reservation is on foot,[3] since it is serviced by a dirt road, gated in several locations.[1] In 1973, two of the five enrolled citizens lived on the reservation.[4]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[7] | Pop 2010[8] | Pop 2020[9] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 20.00% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 20.00% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 20.00% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 40.00% |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 5 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
The Ewiiaapaayp Band is headquartered inAlpine, California. 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 theIndian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.[10] Robert Pinto is their current tribal chairperson.[11]
Enrolled citizens include Michael Garcia; Harlan Pinto, Jr.; Harlan Pinto, Sr.; Gloria Pinto; Robert Pinto, Sr.; Robert Pinto Jr.; and James Robertson.[10][12]
In 2006, the tribe formed Leaning Rock Water, a company providing bottled drinking water.[3]
The reservation's small exclave that is completely surrounded by theAlpine, California CDP is served by theAlpine Union Elementary School District andGrossmont Union High School District, while the rest of the reservation is served by theMountain Empire Unified School District.
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.[3]
