The Inaja Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Inaja and Cosmit Reservation is a federally recognized tribe of Kumeyaay Indians, who are sometimes known as Mission Indians.
Official Tribal Name: Inaja Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Inaja and Cosmit Reservation
Address: 2005 S. Escondido Blvd., Escondido CA 92025
Phone: 760-737-7628
Fax: 760-747-8568
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Recognition Status: Federally Recognized
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Mexican Spelling – Kumiai
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Mexico – Kumiai
Region: California
State(s) Today: California
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Confederacy: Kumeyaay Nation – 1 of 13 member bands, Mission Indians
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Reservation: Inaja and Cosmit Reservation
The Inaja and Cosmit Reservation was established in 1875. It consists of two parcels of land, one at Inaja, the other at Cosmit, that sit at the base the Cuyamaca Peak and is accessed only by one unpaved road that is usually fenced off to prevent trespassers. Older houses exist at Inaja, but harsh winter conditions and lack of facilities hinder development. Cosmit used to have residences and tribal dances and fiestas in years past, but no one lives there now.
Land Area: 852 acres
Tribal Headquarters: Escondidio, California
Time Zone: Pacific
These are two parcels of rather remote and inaccessible land under the silhouette of Cuyamaca Peak. At present, there are no permanent inhabitants, although some remodeling is underway on Inaja. Deep winter snows and lack of facilities make these locations inhospitable.
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Registered Population Today: 21 enrolled members as of 1973.
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Number of Executive Officers: Tribal Chairman
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Language Classification: Hokan => Yuman
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The coastal country where the Kumeyaay lived and the Salton Sea margins contain archaeological evidence suggesting that they are some of the oldest known Indian-inhabited areas in the United States; middens, or refuse heaps, have been found that date back some 20,000 years.
Bands, Gens, and Clans
The Kumeyaay were organized along clan lines called Sh’mulq. The clans maintained complex familial, spiritual and militaristic alliances with each other. When threatened by an outside adversary the clans would come togther under a Kwachut G’tag to meet the threat. See Kumeyaay Bands
Related Tribes: See Kumeyaay Bands link, above.
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