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Native American and Indigenous Communities: Tribes across the United States

This guide is for students to know more about Native American and Indigenous communities and what resources MVC has in their collection and where they can find further information beyond that.

There are federally recognized tribes and state recognized tribes. Federally recognized tribes are oftentimes (not always) also recognized by the state. Additionally, state recognized tribes will not be federally recognized. When a tribe is federally recognized, they receive more benefits than if they are recognized only by the state. Federal recognition equates to tribal status acknowledgment, which is what tribes primarily seek out. Being recognized by the state means tribes are recognized for their historical and cultural contributions. There are 567 federally recognized tribes throughout the United States. Federal recognition can take decades to accomplish. With tribal recognition, Native American receive self-government status and have the right to federal benefits, services, and protections. Check out the websites from our Southern California federally recognized tribes below.

Southern California Recognized Tribes

  • Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation are located in Riverside, California and inhabit the Coachella Valley.
  • Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians are located in Coachella and is considered one of the smallest federally recognized tribal nations.
  • Barona Band of Mission Indians is recognized as a tribe of Kumeyaay Indians, but more well-known as Mission Indians.
  • Cabazon Band of Cahuilla Indians are located in Riverside and consider themselves descendants of Chief Cabazon.
  • Cahuilla Band of Indians is originally from the Coachella Valley, through the San Gorgonio Pass to the San Jacinto Mountains. The Cahuilla Band of Indians eventually moved into what is known as modern day Anza.
  • Campo Band of Diegueño Mission Indians or the Campo Kumeyaay Nation of the Campo Indian Reservation, California are located in the southern Laguna Mountains in San Diego. The Campo Band of Diegueño Mission Indians is a federally recognized tribe of Kumeyaay people.
  • Capitan Grande Band of Diegueño Mission Indians of California are located in San Diego. The Capitan Grande Band of Diegueño Mission Indians is also controlled by the Barona Group of Capitan Band of Mission Indians. They are a group of Kumeyaay Indians.
  • Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians are formerly known as the Cuyapaipe Community of Diegueno Mission Indians. The Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians are recognized as a group of Kumeyaay Indians or Mission Indians from San Diego.
  • Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel are located in San Diego. The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel are recognized as a tribe of Kumeyaay Indians (also known as Mission Indians). 
  • Inaja Band of Diegueño Mission Indians of the Inaja and Cosmit Reservation are located northeast of San Diego. The Inaja Band of Diegueño Mission Indians of the Inaja and Cosmit Reservation are recognized as a tribe of Kumeyaay Indians.
  • Jamul Indian Village of California are considered part of the Kumeyaay tribe. The Jamul Indian Village people are located in San Diego county and trace some of their roots in Mexico.
  • La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians make up 10,000 acres worth of land and are located at the base of the Palomar Mountains in northern San Diego.
  • La Posta Band of Diegueño Mission Indians of the La Posta Indian Reservation are located in the Laguna Mountains. The La Posta Band of Diegueño Mission Indians are considered a Kumeyaay tribe.
  • Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians are located 70 miles from San Diego. You can find the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians betwen the Cleveland National Forest and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. They are recognized as Cahuilla and Cupeño.
  • Manzanita Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Manzanita Reservation are located in San Diego. The Manzanita Band of Diegueño Mission Indians are recognized as a Kumeyaay tribe.
  • Mesa Grande Band of Diegueño Mission Indians of the Mesa Grande Reservation are considered direct descendants of the original aboriginal people and are located in San Diego. They are recognized as a Kumeyaay tribe.
  • Morongo Band of Mission Indians are located at the foot of the San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Mountains. They are composed of Cahuilla and Serrano tribal groups.
  • Pala Band of Mission Indians are located in San Diego. The Pala Band of Mission Indians belong to Kuupangaxwichem (also called Cupeño) and Luiseño tribes.
  • Pauma Band of Luiseño Mission Indians of the Pauma & Yuima Reservation are recognized as a tribe of Luiseño. The Pauma Band of Luiseño Mission Indians can be found in San Diego. 
  • Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians of the Pechanga Reservation can be found in Riverside and are recognized as Luiseño Indians. 
  • Ramona Band of Cahuilla are located in Anza, near the base of Thomas Mountain. The Ramona Band of Cahuilla are recognized as Cahuilla Indians.
  • Rincon Band of Luiseño Mission Indians of Rincon Reservation are located in Valley Center which is found within San Diego. The Rincon Band of Luiseño Mission Indians are recognized as part of the Luiseño tribe.
  • Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation are recognized as a tribe of Serrano people. The Yuhaaviatam are located in San Bernardino, which their people have typically lived in the San Bernardino Mountains.
  • San Pasqual Band of Diegueño Mission Indians of California are recognized as a Kumeyaay tribe. They are located in Valley Center, 40 miles from San Diego.
  • Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians are located in Riverside County, between Pam Springs and Anza. The Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians are federally recognized as Cahuilla Indians.
  • Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians of the Santa Ynez Reservation are recognized as a tribe of Chumash Indians. The Sana Ynez Band of Chumash Mission Indians can be found in Santa Barbara. They call themselves Samala.
  • Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians are located in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains. The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians are recognized as a group of Luiseño and Cahuilla people.
  • Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians are located in Imperial and Riverside County. The Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians are recognized as Cahuilla Indians.
  • Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians of California are descendants of the Chemehuevi people. Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians are located in two places. The first is located in Indio and Coachella in Riverside. The second location is in Twentynine Palms within San Bernardino County.

  • Viejas (Baron Long) Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians of the Viejas Reservation are recognized as a Kumeyaay tribe. The Viejas Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians can be found in the Cuyamaca Mountains near Alpine in San Diego County

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