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Home Region
Orange County, from the ocean east to the Sierra Santa Ana, south toward San Onofre, north to Alisos Creek
Mission Affiliations
Historical Background
Acjachemen is a term used by Fray Gerónimo de Boscana (taken from the name of the main native village) to represent the native people associated with the San Juan Capistrano Mission, also known as Juaneños. Pablo Tac, the famous native ethnographer from the San Luis Rey mission, referred to them as Sanjuaneños.
Acjachemen (Juañeno) Facts
They are very closely related to the Quechnajuichom or Luiseño people to the south, both culturally and linguistically. Prior to association with the mission, the Acjachemen lived in stable and autonomous villages, and believed in owning private property, both land and goods.
In addition to hunting terrestrial animals, they also harvested seafood, including marine mammals. Although earlier explorers had contact with the Acjachemen, they began to be associated with Mission San Juan Capistrano shortly after it was founded in 1776.
Acjachemen (Juañeno) Today
Today the Acjachemen Nation of San Juan Capistrano seeks to represent the interests of Acjachemen people.
