The Tataviam, referred to as the Antelope Valley Indian Peoples of the western Mojave in southern California were called Alliklik (“grunters”) by their neighbors, the Chumash, but called themselves Tataviam which means "People who sun themselves". At the time of the arrival of the Spanish in California, the total population was at least 1000. These People relied heavily on the yucca in their daily lives and vestiges of their life can still be seen along the modern Antelope Valley Freeway, where these yuccas are still blooming in the Springtime. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these People dispersed and blended in with the local population. After WWII various and diverse Native American families opted to settle at Antelope Valley, rather than return to their original homes and although there are no reservations there, approximately 16,000 People, now referred to as the Antelope Valley Indian Peoples, now reside there. The last Tataviam (also their language) speaker died in 1916.
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