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Chapters of Cahuilla Lodge

A chapter represents a local area within our lodge. Most chapters are organized by district and have officers and advisers just like Cahuilla Lodge. The chapter's goal is to help the Lodge carry out the OA Program by reaching more members.

Cahuilla Lodge is organized into 6 distinct chapters. Because of the large geographical territory that the lodge covers, the chapter organization is important to the lodge's success.

Aca Chapter - Sunrise District

Serves the greater East Desert Indio-Palm Springs-Yucca Valley-Twentynine Palms areas. Chapter Totem

Chapter Chief: Gabriel George   Chapter Adviser: James Hermes

Chapter Meeting: The Chemehuevi Clan (High Desert) meets on the first Wednesday of every month at the Faith Lutheran Church in Joshua Tree. The Agua Caliente Clan (Low Desert) meets on the first Thursday of every month at Hope Lutheran in Palm Desert on Portola Ave.

Location: Agua Caliente Clan - Hope Lutheran Church - 45900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260 - Map

Location: Chemehuevi Clan - Faith Lutheran Church - 6336 Hallee Rd Joshua Tree CA 92252 - Map

Website: www.acachapter.org

The Aca Chapter derived its name from a combination of the names Agua Caliente, and Azwit, the two groups originally merged to form the chapter. A year later, Chemehuevi Chapter was absorbed and became part of Aca.

A-tsa Chapter - Gray Arrow District

Serves the Redlands, Fontana, Rialto, Highland, Banning and Beumont areas. Chapter Totem

Chapter Chief: Jim Lenfesty   Chapter Adviser: David Lesyna

Chapter Meeting: A-tsa Chapter meets monthly at the Trinity Episcopal church Redlands.419 S. 4th St. Redlands, CA. The meeting is held on the second Thursday of every month at 7:00PM.

Location: 419 S. 4th St Redlands - Map

Website: /www.facebook.com/pages/A-tsa-Chapter/121547169731

The A-tsa chapter merged with the Wisumahi chapter in 2014.

Navajo Chapter - Old Baldy District

Serves the greater communities of Ontario, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Temescal, Norco, Chino and Chino Hills. Chapter Totem

Chapter Chief: Carson Ruhnke   Chapter Adviser: -

Chapter Meeting: The chapter meets monthly on the first Thursday of every month at the Scout house at 1322 E. Fourth Street, Ontario, CA 91764.

Location: Scout House - 1322 E. Fourth Street, Ontario, CA - Map

Website: www.navajochapter.com/

The Navajo chapter merged with the Chino/Chino Hills section of the Hutuk chapter in 2014.

Serrano Chapter - High Desert District

Serves the upper desert area of San Bernardino Chapter Totem

Chapter Chief: -   Chapter Adviser: Charles Haeffner

Chapter Meeting: Meets the second Monday of every month at 7:00 PM at 9650 Seventh Ave. Hesperia

Location: 9650 Seventh Ave. Hesperia, CA 92345 - Map

Tahquitz Chapter - Tahquitz District

Serves the Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Hemet, San Jacinto, Menifee, and Idyllwild communities. Chapter Totem

Chapter Chief: Matthew DeWitt   Chapter Adviser: Keith Weinrich

Chapter Meeting: Meets the first Thursday of every month at the Murrieta United Methodist Church in Murrieta at 6:30 PM.

Location: United Methodist Church - 24652 Adams Ave Murrieta, CA - Map

Tahquitz is the name of the original OA Lodge in the area, and the legend of Tahquitz is important to Cahuilla Indian lore.

Ironically, the name also replaced one of the most inactive chapters. As growth in the Murrietta/Temecula area exploded, so did the population of the chapter, from less than 30 members in the early 1990s to the largest chapter in Cahuilla Lodge today. The growth spurred a huge infusion of youth into Cahuilla, supplying the youth with an ample base of talent to draw from.

Since its inception, the Tahquitz Chapter has easily been the largest chapter in Cahuilla Lodge. Born out of the Tri-Lakes/Three Peaks district merge, members changed their name from Puyumak to the current name in September of 1994. The other chapter in the district was Yamiwa until it was absorbed a year later.

At the time, the story was told that there existed a legend where the brother of Yamiwa was "Tahquitz," though I have failed to find that documented yet. The name, Yamiwa, is Luiseno Indian in origin, which is alleged to have been one of the many names for Tahquitz Peak.

The Tahquitz chapter merged with the Yamiwa chapter in 2014.

Wanakik Chapter - Mt. Rubidoux District

Serves Riverside, Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley, Perris, Hemet and San Jacinto. Chapter Totem

Chapter Chief: Nicholas Lozano   Chapter Adviser: Summer Pearson

Chapter Meeting: Meets the first Sunday of every month at the Wanakik Chapter House located at the First United Methodist Church in Riverside at 7 PM.

Location: Chapter House - Behind First United Methodist Church 4845 Brockton Ave. Riverside, CA - Map

Website: www.wanakik.org

The Wanakik Chapter of Cahuilla Lodge is one of the original chapters formed in 1974, and has been one of the largest and most active groups ever since.

The Chapter's name commemorates the Wanakikturn Cahuilla Indians. The Chapter calls themselves the "People of the Swirling Waters."

The Wanakik chapter merged with the Soboba chapter and the Corona/Norco section of the Hutuk chapter in 2014.