Yokuts

History of San Miguel Mission

San Miguel Mission, founded by Fr. Lasuen on July 25, 1797, was the sixteenth Franciscan mission in California, located in the Salinas Valley. Initially flourishing, it recorded 1,076 neophytes by 1814 and substantial livestock. Despite a devastating fire in 1806, the mission thrived until declining crop yields and secularization in 1836 led to its deterioration. By 1844, it lacked resources and was demoralized, resulting in its sale in 1845. Today, the church remains largely untouched and serves the community, reflecting its historic significance.

Kawia Tribe

The name Kawia refers to two distinct tribes in California: a Shoshonean tribe and an extinct Yokuts tribe. The larger Shoshonean Kawia inhabited areas from Banning to the Salton Sea and were first documented in 1776 by Fray Francisco Garcés. Their principal settlement was near San Gorgonio Pass. In contrast, the Yokuts Kawia lived along the Kaweah River but are now extinct, having been hostile to American settlers. Both tribes have contributed to the complex history of Indigenous peoples in the region.

Chaushila Tribe

The Chaushila were a Yokuts tribe located in central California, primarily north of the Fresno River and along the lower Chowchilla River. They inhabited the plains and lowest foothills of the region, neighboring Moquelumnan tribes to the north. Although they have been historically conflated with the Chowchilla, the Chaushila represent a distinct group. Despite their unique cultural identity, the Chaushila tribe is now extinct.

Yokuts Indians

The Yokuts Indians, a group of indigenous people from California, inhabited the San Joaquin Valley and adjacent Sierra Nevada foothills. Originally classified as a distinct linguistic family, they are now considered part of the broader Penutian stock. Their population included various subdivisions, each with unique villages. In 1770, their estimated population was around 18,000, but by 1910, it had dramatically decreased to about 600. By 1930, the census recorded a slight increase to 1,145 individuals.