Haawka. That’s how the Mesa Grande Band of Diegueño Mission Indians greet each other. The Mesa Grande Reservation is a testament to their enduring legacy. This land has been home to their ancestors for over 12,000 years. Can you imagine people living here 7,000 years before the Pharaohs ruled Egypt?
The Mesa Grande Reservation is in northern San Diego County. It sits about 75 miles northeast of San Diego. The reservation’s position is 3,500 feet above Black Canyon. It’s on a high plateau next to the Cleveland National Forest. This remote location offers a quiet escape from San Diego’s busy streets.
The reservation encompasses 1,820 acres. About 130 of the Tribe’s 800 enrolled citizens live here. Many of them farm, raise livestock, or commute to nearby towns for work. The Mesa Grande Band is deeply connected to this land.
Interestingly, the Mesa Grande Band lost additional land. It was mistakenly allocated to a neighboring Tribal Band in 1891. This happened through a Presidential Executive Order. The Mesa Grande Band is pursuing legal avenues to recover this land. They consider it vital to their culture.
The Mesa Grande Band of Diegueño Mission Indians are direct descendants. They are from the original aboriginal people of northern San Diego County. Their history was passed down orally. This continued until the westernization of California began. Spanish explorers first contacted the Native people here in 1542. The Spaniards called them Diegueño. This was because of their proximity to the San Diego mission.
Today, the Mesa Grande Band is a federally recognized tribe. They are governed by a General Council. It’s made up of all enrolled tribal citizens. The Tribe operates as a pure democracy. They make all major decisions about the Tribe’s direction together. An elected Business Committee administers the daily affairs. This committee has five Tribal citizens serving five-year terms.
The Mesa Grande Band also operates Tekamuk Facility Services. Its headquartered on the historic Golden Eagle Farm. The Mesa Grande Band acquired the 560-acre Golden Eagle property in 2017. This expanded their land base. It also provided economic development opportunities. This property is contiguous to other Mesa Grande trust land.
The Mesa Grande Band of Diegueño Mission Indians have persevered. They are working to preserve their culture. They are also striving for economic self-sufficiency. Their story is one of resilience, adaptation, and determination. They remain deeply connected to their ancestral lands. The Mesa Grande Reservation is a symbol of their enduring spirit.