From mission to metropolis: Cupeño Indian women in Los Angeles

Looks at three generations of Cupeno Indians living in Los Angeles Contrary To Popular Perception, The Majority Of Indians Living In The United States Today Reside In Urban Areas. These Urban Indians Are An Invisible Minority Because Their Culture Is Less Obvious In The City Than On The Reservations. Has Their Indianness Been Eroded By Life In The City And By A Lack Of Tribal Culture, Or Has Their Ethnicity Simply Changed In Form, Been Redefined, Over Time? How Do These Urban Indians Perceive Their Own Ethnic Identification? In From Mission To Metropolis, Diana Meyers Bahr Applies These Questions To Representatives Of A Particular Group Of Urban Indians. The Metropolis Is The City Of Los Angeles, Home To The Highest Number Of Indians Of Any City In The Nation. The Cupenos, With 150 Members, Are One Of The Smallest Bands Of California Mission Indians. Using Life-history Research, Bahr Presents The Stories Of Three Generations Of Contemporary Cupeno Women: Anna, Patricia, And Tracie. Ch. 1. Introduction -- Ch. 2. Historical Context: Who Are The Cupeno? -- Ch. 3. Perceptions Of Family And Individuality -- Ch. 4. Beneficence -- Ch. 5. The Metaphysical Realm -- Ch. 6. Conclusion. By Diana Meyers Bahr. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 167-178) And Index. Using life-history research, Bahr presents the stories of three generations of contemporary Cupeno Indian women. In the interviews, three themes emerge as areas of importance to these women: family versus individuality; beneficence; and the metaphysical realm.