Los Coyotes
Nestled in the rural mountains of San Diego County is the reservation of the Los Coyotes Band of Mission Indians. The federally recognized tribe is located in a remote area 35 miles northeast of San Diego and 80 miles southeast of Los Angeles, bound to the north by Anza Borrego Desert State Park and Cleveland National Forest, to the west by Cleveland National Forest, to the east by Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and to the south by unincorporated land.

History
The Los Coyotes members are descendents of the Cahuilla and Cupueno Indians who originally occupied two villages near the reservation’s hot springs. The hot springs and the adjacent fertile lands served as the center of the tribal members’ lives.
An Executive Order on May 5, 1889, set apart lands for the Los Coyotes reservation, but it was not established until June 19, 1900, under the authority of the act of January 12, 1891. Additionally, Cleveland National Forest land was awarded to the Los Coyotes Band by Executive Order of April 13, 1914.

The region’s people primarily sought income by working as ranch and farm hands. Since the 1950s, however, the majority of the tribal members have sought employment in communities adjacent to their reservations.

Today, there is little development on the Los Coyotes reservation. Electricity was just brought to the reservation in 1998. A primitive campground open to the public has been established in the upper reaches of San Ysidro Creek providing a small income to the reservation

Land: Approximately 30,000 Acres
Membership: 380 members, including 27 families (with approximately 80 members living on the reservation)
Tribal Government: The General Council elects the five tribal council members every year. Tribal chairperson Catherine Siva Saubel is acknowledged nationally and internationally as one of California’s most respected Native American leaders. She has been appointed to a variety of agencies leading the challenge to preserve sacred Native American locations and cultures throughout California.
Aboriginal & Territorial Rights: The Los Coyotes Band has ties to the Barstow area that date back to 1891. The Tribe has hunted and traded with and married members of Indian tribes of the Barstow area.