Indigenous Peoples of California

Tribes and Bands of California
Acohomawi, Alliklik, Athabascan, Atsugewi, Bear River, Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Chetco, Chilula, Chimariko, Chumash, Con Cow, Costanoan, Cupeno, Dakubetede, Diegueno, Digger, Esselen, Fernandeno, Gabrielino, Halchidhoma, Hokan, Huchnom, Hupa, Hoopa, Juaneno, Kamia, Karuk, Kato, Kawaiisu, Kitanemake, Klamath, Konkau, Konomihu, Koso, Lassik, Lutuami, Los Conejo, Luiseno, Maidu, Malki (Morongo), Mattole, Miwok, Modoc, Mohava, Navjo, Nicoleno, Nisenan, Nongatl, Okwanuchu, Paiute (Northern), Patwin, Penutian, Pit River, Pomo, Quechans, Salinan, Serrano, Shastan, Shoshone, Sinkyone, Syquan, Tolowa, Tubatulabal, Banyume, Wailaki, Wappo, Washo, Whilkut, Wintu, Wintun, Wiyot, Yahi, Yana, Yukian, Yokuts, Yuki (Coast or Ukhoatnom), Yuma, Yurok

Coyote Valley Band, Romona Band, Paiute: Mono Lake

Historical Background
A number of tribes have resided in California, some centered around the Spanish missions there. Others had no connection to those missions. The Spanish missions were the first effort at encouraging good relationships between the natives and the Caucasian settlers. Efforts were made to teach the Indians about farming methods, the Catholic religion, and other matters.

Old Spanish Missions of California, with dates of their founding
La Purisima Concepcion -- 1787

Nuestra Senora de la Soledad -- 1791

San Antonio de Padua -- 1771

San Buenaventura -- 1782

San Carlos Borromeo de Monterey -- 1770

San Diego de Alcala -- 1769

San Fernando Rey -- 1797

San Francisco de Asis (Dolores) -- 1776

San Francisco Solaro (San Solano or Sonoma) -- 1823

San Gabriel Arcangel -- 1771

San Jose -- 1797

San Juan Bautista -- 1797

San Luis Obispo de Tolosa -- 1772

San Luis Rey de Fancia -- 1798

San Juan Capistrano -- 1776

San Miguel -- 1797

San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuner -- 1780

San Rafael -- 1817

Santa Barbara -- 1786

Santa Clara -- 1777

Santa Cruz -- 1791

Santa Ines -- 1804

Indian Reservations
In the 19th Century, some of the Indian tribes in California were brought under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and were placed on reservations. As identified in the National Atlas of the United States of America, the following reservations named in bold are current federally-recognized reservations located wholly or partially in California:

Agua Caliente Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Palm Springs Field Station, Tribe: Agua Caliente Band

Augustine Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Augustine Band of Mission Indians

Barona Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Barona Group of Chpitan Band of   Mission Indians

Benton Paiute Reservation, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Paiute

Big Pine Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Paiute-Shoshone

Bishop Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Paiute-Shoshone

Cabazan Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Cabazon Band of Mission Indians

Cahuilla Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Cahuilla Band of Mission Indians

Campo Resrevation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Mission Band of Indians of

Campo Community

Chemehuevi Reservation: State, under the jurisdiction of Colorado River Agency, Tribe:

Captain Grande Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Mission Tribes

Colorado River Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Colorado River Agency, Tribes: Mojave and Chemehuevi

Cuyapaipe Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Souther California Agency, Tribe: Cuyapaipe Band of Mission Indians

Fort Bidwell Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe: Paiute

Fort Independence Resrvation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Paiute

Fort Mojave Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Colorado River Agency, Tribe Mojave

Fort Yuma Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Fort Yuma Agency, Tribe Quechan

Hoopa Valey Extension Reservation: Federal,                Tribe: Yurok

Hoopa Valley Reservation : Federal,                        Tribe: Hoopa

Hopland Reservation --

Inaja-Cosmit Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Inaja-Cosmit

La Jolla Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: La Jolla Band of Mission Indians

La Pasta reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: La Pasta Band of Mission Indians

Lone Pine Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe Piaute-Shoshone

Los Coyates Reservation: Federal, underh the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Los Coyotes Band of Mission Indians

Manzanita Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Manzanita Band of Missio Indians

Mesa Grande Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Mesa Grand Band of Mission Indians

Mission Creek Resevation: Federal,                        Tribe: Mission Creek Band of Mission Indians

Morongo Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Morongo Band of Mission Indians

Pala Reservation: Federal, under ther jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Pala band of Mission Indians

Pauma &amp; Yuima Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Pauma Band of Mission Indians

Ricon Reservation: State, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: San Luiseno Band of Mission Indians

Round Valley Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribes: yuki, Pit River, Litttle Lake, Konkow, Wyaki Pomo, Nomalaki, Wintun

San Manuel Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: San Manuel Band

San Pasqual Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians

Santa Rosa Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Tache

Santa Ynez Reservation: Federal, under ther jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Santa Ynez band of Mission Indains

Sycuan Reservation,: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Sycuan Band of Mission Indians

Timba-Sha Reservation: State, under the jurisdiction of California Agency, Tribe:

Torres-Martinez Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of California Agency, tribe: Torres-Martinez Band of Mission Indians

Tule River Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Tule River Tribe 

Twenty Nine Palms Resrvation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: twenty Nine Palms Band

Viejas Reservation: Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Viejas Group of Capitan Grande Band of Mission Indians

X L Reservation: Federal,                                Tribe: Pit river-Piaute

Yurok Reservation --

Rancherias
Alturas Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdictiong of Northern California Agency, Tribe: Piaute River

Barona Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe: Barona Group of Chaitan Band of Mission  Indians

Berry Creek Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Maidu

Big Bend Rancheria, Federal,     , Tribe: Pitts

Big Lagoon Rancheria,State, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe:

Big Pine Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Paiute-Shoshone

Big Sandy Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Big Valley Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Blue Lake Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe:

Bridgeport Colony, State, under the jurisdiction of Central Califronia Agency, Tribe:

Buena Vista Rancheris, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Cedarville Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe Paiute

Chicken Ranch Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Cloverdale Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Cold Springs Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Mono

Colusa Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Cahil Dehe Band of Wintun

Cortina Rancheria,Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Wintun

Cayote Balley Band, State under the jurisdiction of Cenrtal California Agency, Tribe:

Dry Creek Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Elk Valley Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe:

Enterprise Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Maidu

Greenville Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Grindstone Creek Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Nomalaki-Wailaki

Hopland Ranacheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Jackson Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Me-Wuk

Jamul Indian Village, State, under the jurisdiction of Southern California Agency, Tribe:

Karuk Tribe: State, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe: Karuk

Laytonville Ranacheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Cahto

Likely Rancheria, Federal,                 Tribe: Pit River

Lookout Rancheria, Federal,               Tribe: Pit River

Manchester Point Arena Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Middletown Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Pomo-Patwin

Montgomery Creek Rancheria, Federal,            Tribe: Pit River

Mooretown Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

North Fork Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Picayune Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Pinoleville Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Pit River Tribe, State, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe: Pit River

Potter Valley Rancheria, Stae, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Quartz Valley Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe:

Ramona Band, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Sourthern California Agency, Tribe: Cahuill Band of Mission Indians

Redding Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe:

Redwood Valley Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Resighini Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe:

Roaring Creek Rancheria, Federal,              Tribe: Pit River

Robison Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Rohnerville Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe:

Rumsey Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Wintun

Santa Rosa Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Tache

Sheep Ranch Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Me-Wuk

Sherwood Valley Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Shinger Springs Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Smith Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe:

Stewarts Point Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Sulphur Bank Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Pomo

Susanville Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribes: Paiute, Maidu, Pit River and Washoe

Table Bluff Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe:

Table Mountain Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Trinidat Rancheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Northern California Agency, Tribe:

Tuolumne Rancheria, Federal, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe: Tuolumne Band of Ne-Wuk

Upper Lake Rantheria, State, under the jurisdiction of Central California Agency, Tribe:

Woodfords Community, State, under the jurisdiction of Western Nevada Agency, Tribe

Agencies
Capitan Garnde Agency

Central California Agency, 1800 Tribute Road, Suite 111, Sacramento, CA, 95815

Colorado River Agency, Rt. 1, Box 9-C, PParker, AZ, 85344

Gort Bidwell Agency

Hoopa Valley Agency

Mission Agency

Northern California Agency, P.O. Box49879, Churn Creek Rd, Suite 300, Redding, CA,92262

Palm Springs Field Station, P.O. Box 2245,441 S. Calle Enilia, Suite 8, Palm Springs, CA,92262

Roseburg, Greenville &amp; Tulle River Agencies

Round Valley Agency

Sacramento Agency

Southern California Agency, 3600 Lime St., Suite 722, Riverside, CA 92501

Walker River Agency

Western Nevada Agency, 1300 South Curry Street, Carson City, NV89701

Available Records at the Family History Library
For a complete list of available records search the FHLC by Tribe and locality


 * Sacramento Area Office FHL fiche: 6076786
 * Sherman Institute 2 films 1920-1940 FHL 1249980 &amp; 1249981
 * Phoenix Area Office FHL film 1249981

Other Repositories
American Indian Council of Central California, P.O. Box 3341, Bakersfield, CA, 93386

California Native American Heritage Commission, 915 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, DA, 95814

See also:
California_Church_Records for a list of missions

California_History for a calendar of events

California_Military_Records for a list of forts