It was established by the Executive Order of December 27, 1875. The Pala Reservation is located in southern California.

They once occupied a territory 10 square miles in diameter in a mountainous region at the headwaters of the San Luis Rey River in the valley of San Jose de Valle. The Cupenos called themselves Kuupangaxwichem, or “people who slept here.”Ĭupeno – The word Cupeno is of Spanish derivation, adopting the native place-name Kupa and appending Spanish – ‘eno’ to mean a person who lives in or hails from Kupa.Īlternate names / Alternate spellings / Misspellings: Official Website: Recognition Status: Federally Recognized Official Tribal Name:Pala Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pala ReservationĪddress: 12196 Pala Mission Road, Pala CA 92059 Today, more than 90 years after having been expelled from their native homeland, the Cupenos call Pala, California home and live as one among the Luiseno tribe.

Many of the Pala Band of Luiseno Mission Indians trace their heritage back to the Cupa.

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