Types
About Pukuu Cultural Community Services
Pukúu Cultural Community Services serves American Indian youth and families by providing a formation of programs and assistance services to help our community enhance while maintaining its unique identity.
Pukúu works with one of the most underserved and disadvantaged populations in Los Angeles County –American Indians. Contrary to popular belief, not all American Indians are wealthy; most urban American Indians live well below the poverty line. In fact, American Indians have the second lowest health ranking among all ethnic groups, in addition to scoring poorly on measures of material lifestyle and health. American Indians have a premature death rate, dying 20 years earlier than their Caucasian counterparts. Alcoholism, diabetes, suicide, and motor vehicle accidents contribute to this high death rate. Poverty also hits American Indian children hard: three out of ten Indian children will find themselves and their family in crisis.
The mission of Pukúu Cultural Community Services is to invest in sustainable programs that bridge and improve opportunities for American Indians with culturally-based community services now and for future generations. What started as an aspiration of Rudy Ortega Sr., members of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, a northern Los Angeles County American tribe formed a non-profit organization in 1971 to better the lives of their people. With our heritage-enhanced knowledge we believe in every person achieving their fullest potential and improving their quality of life within our inter-tribal community. The word pukúu derives from the Fernandeño Tataviam language meaning “ONE.
Locations
Primary Office Location
(818) 336-6105