 Tribal Flag | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 394[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States (California) | |
| Languages | |
| Ipai,[2]Tipai,[3]English,Spanish | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional tribal religion, Christianity (Roman Catholicism)[4] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| otherKumeyaay tribes,Cocopa, Quechan,Paipai, andKiliwa |
TheViejas (Baron Long) Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians of the Viejas Reservation, also called theViejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, is afederally recognized tribe ofKumeyaay Indians.[4]
In 1875, the Viejas Band shared theCapitan Grande Reservation along with theBarona Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians, which consisted of lands in and around the present dayEl Capitan Reservoir. El 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.[3]
TheViejas Reservation (32°51′01″N116°41′33″W / 32.85028°N 116.69250°W /32.85028; -116.69250), also known as theBaron Long Reservation, is a federalIndian reservation located inSan Diego County, California, in theCuyamaca Mountains nearAlpine. After the band was displaced from Capitan Grande, this new reservation was created by executive order in 1934. The reservation is about 1,609 acres (6.51 km2) large. Approximately 289 of the 394 enrolled members live on the reservation.[5]
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]
The Viejas Band is headquartered inAlpine, 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 operatesViejas 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 inAlpine,Borrego Springs, andLa 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.[7]
The tribe owns 50 percent of the Broadcast Company of the Americas, which operates a sports talk station, The Mighty 1090-AM inSan Diego.[7]
Viejas partnered with theForest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin, theOneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, and theSan Manuel Band of Mission Indians of California to create Four Fires, LLC, an economic development group. A similar project, Three Fires, LCC is shared between Viejas, and the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.[7]
The tribe paidSan Diego State University $6 million fornaming rights toViejas Arena.[8]
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 orAll Souls' Day.[9]
