Tataviam

The Tataviam, also known as the Alliklik, are an indigenous people of California. Their traditional territory was located in the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding mountains of present-day northern Los Angeles County and southern Ventura County. They spoke the Tataviam language, a Uto-Aztecan language related to the Serrano and Kitanemuk languages.

The Tataviam lived in villages typically located near water sources. They were hunter-gatherers, relying on acorns, seeds, roots, berries, and various animals for sustenance. Their material culture included baskets, pottery, and tools made from stone, bone, and wood.

European contact began in the late 18th century with the arrival of Spanish missionaries. The Tataviam were forcibly relocated to Mission San Fernando Rey de España, where they were subjected to forced labor, disease, and cultural disruption. This had a devastating impact on their population and traditional way of life.

After the secularization of the missions in the 1830s, the Tataviam faced continued challenges, including land loss and discrimination. While the Tataviam language is no longer spoken fluently, efforts are underway to revitalize it.

Today, descendants of the Tataviam continue to live in Southern California. They are working to preserve their cultural heritage, reclaim their ancestral lands, and achieve federal recognition. They are actively involved in cultural preservation, education, and community outreach. The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians is the contemporary tribal entity representing the Tataviam people.