Facing the SUN
Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
A Native Sovereign Nation of Northern Los Angeles County with ties to Mission San Fernando and descent from the Simi, Santa Clarita, San Fernando, and Antelope Valleys.
The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians has occupied the geographical area of northern Los Angeles County and maintained a highly complex and extensive network of relations between lineages since time immemorial.
In 1797, the Spanish established Mission San Fernando, and for the years following, enslaved ancestors from the villages in Simi, San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys, and became known as Fernandeño.
In 1843, after the Missions were secularized by the Mexican Empire, 50 surviving Fernandeño families petitioned received 18,000 acres of land held in trust by the Mexican government.
By 1892, the Fernandeños were evicted from their remaining acres of land. The families were left as refugees on their own homelands.
As result of the evictions, the
Tribal leaders were defended by attorneys commissioned by the federal government, and yet, the historic Fernandeño tribe was not made a federally recognized tribe.
Of the 3,000+ ancestors, only 3 families survived to 1900. Today, the 3 lineages are enrolled in the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians.
Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
Timeline
Fernandeño Land Theft
From 1797 - 1900
Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
Tribal Boundary
Villages
Land Holding Counties
Territory
The Official Tribal Boundary delineates the area of enslavement associated with Mission San Fernando, commencing in the year 1797.
This boundary encompasses the villages situated within the four distinct ethno-linguistic valleys from which registered Tribal Citizens derive their ancestry.
Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
Representing less than 0.6% of Los Angeles County’s Native American Population.
IN 2020, MORE THAN HALF OF OUR CITIZENS LIVED BELOW THE LA POVERTY THRESHOLD.
1 IN 3 CITIZENS HAS EXPERIENCED HOUSELESSNESS ON THEIR OWN HOMELANDS IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.
Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
Family Stability.
Providing reliable and regular access to emergency services for the Native Community.
✜ Parenting Programs
✜ Eviction Prevention
✜ Food Delivery
Workforce Development.
Enabling job opportunities to the Native Community that promote outdoor careers.
✜ Job Training & Resources
✜ Senior & Youth Careers
✜ Cultural Resources
Workforce
Health & Wellness.
Supporting the Health of the Native Community and nurturing Social Wellness.
✜ Counseling
✜ Drug Prevention
✜ Cultural Workshops
Financial Independence.
Providing affordable access to capital and academic scholarships.
✜ Microlending
✜ Temporary Assistance
✜ Scholarships
Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
Establishing mechanisms through innovative solutions to nurture Fernandeño futures.
Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
50+ Years of Serving American Indians.
$1.2 mil operating budget: 120 families annual clients: 23 People Facing The Sun
$2.2 mil
$14 mil
Preserving Land In Perpetuity.
Founded in 2018, Tataviam Land Conservancy is committed to restoring the unceded ancestral homelands of the Fernandeño Tataviam by employing protective land management strategies, traditional ecological knowledge, and innovative cultural and educational programs.
Cultural Knowledge Sharing
Established in 2022, the Tiüvac’a’ai Tribal Conservation Corps (TTCC) mission is to develop a workforce program for 18-26 year-olds to become trained for outdoor careers while receiving paid stipends.
$950K operating budget:
Paseki Strategies Corporation is a vital component of the Fernandeño Tatavíam enterprise. Our mission is to enhance the planet’s health through innovative, efficient, and sustainable practices that prioritize a cleaner, greener future.
Photograph by Diego Huerta