Our History

The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel Reservation is a federal Native American reservation, located in northeastern San Diego County, California, near the mountain towns of Santa Ysabel and Julian. The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel is recognized by the United States Government as a Sovereign Government. The reservation was founded in 1893. The Santa Ysabel Indian Reservation ranges from 3,200 feet to 5,700 feet in elevation and it comprises a land base of over 15,000 acres on three tracts of land. 

 

The mountainous topography of the Reservation is home to a wide variety of indigenous plants and trees, including seven different species of oak trees, musky sage plants, verdant wild ferns, vibrantly blue lilacs, and waves of golden poppies that flourish along the hillsides and ridges of Volcan Mountain.

 

In 2007, the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel established their Constitution in order to preserve and protect their culture, lands, and rights and to promote equality and justice. The Santa Ysabel Band is headquartered in Santa Ysabel, California. They are governed by a democratically elected tribal council.