THE PEOPLE

A people of tradition, we do not let the sun rise or
set without remembering who we are — the Pechanga People.

We are an independent and freedom loving people, a spiritual people. Like a well-nourished oak tree and its acorn fruit, the symbol of the Pechanga Band, we are once again lifting our branches to the sun, providing roots, shelter and food, restoring balance and harmony to our valley. We are reclaiming our place in the sun for both young and adult Pechanga tribal members.

We encourage visitors to learn more about our Silver Feathers (our elders) and our member achievements.

How We Were Always Called

The Indians of the Pechanga Band are one of six bands of Luiseños. Others are the Soboba Band near San Jacinto, the Pauma Band in Pauma Valley, the Rincon Band near Valley Center, the La Jolla Band near Palomar, and a vestige of the Old Pala Band at Pala Reservation. The appellation Luiseño or (its older form) San Luiseño comes from the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia. That mission founded in 1798, established supporting ranchos in the Temecula valley. These ranchos encompassed property boundaries of dozens of native villages that became the forced labor of the mission. It is because these native villages were within territory claimed for Mission San Luis Rey, they became known as San Luiseños, later shortened to Luiseño.

Aborginally each band identified themselves along village lines but acknowledged tribal identity by language. The distinction was made using the four cardinal directions of the tumaamik, kwiimik, kiichamik, and payomik (north, east, south and west). Serranos and Gravelinos are to our north hence they are Tumamkawichum, Northern People. Likewise Cahuillas and Cupeños are Kwiimkawichum, Eastern People: Digueños and Kumeyaay are Kiichamkawichum, Southern People; and being to the west of everyone else we call ourselves collectively, Payomkawichum, Western People.

Self-reliance and Lasting Progress

For the Pechanga people, a new day has dawned. This is a time of renewed optimism for the future. We give thanks for the return of an economic foundation upon which we can build and plan a better life for our people drawing on our traditions of self-reliance and lasting progress.

Today, we have a working relationships with other tribes, just as in ancient times. We are also committed to creating sustainable partnerships and relationships with our non-native neighbors.