The Tribal Historic & Cultural Preservation Department is committed to the protection, preservation, and promotion of the cultural heritage of the Fernandeño Tataviam community. The Tribe recognizes our culture as an invaluable, irreplaceable, and endangered tribal resource. With the intent of preserving, protecting and revitalizing tribal culture, spirituality, and history, the Tribe established the Tribal Historic & Cultural Preservation Department.

The mission of this department is to manage our cultural resources in accordance with our traditions, applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards, wherever they occur on our tribal ancestral lands, our ceded lands, and within our traditional usual and accustomed gathering places.

Cultural resources that are unearthed are given a traditional tribal ceremonial in remembrance of the Fernandeño Tataviam Tribe’s ancestors. Tribal elders and members of the Fernandeño Tataviam Tribe perform tribal ceremonies by singing traditional songs and prayers. Tribal ceremonies are led by the Tribal Sahóvit (Spiritual Leader).