Kawaiisu Chapter, NSDAR

Lake Isabella, California

Welcome

The Kawaiisu Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR), was organized on October 13, 1979, at Lake Isabella, California. There were 22 charter members; Dorothy Kirkwood was the organizing regent. To date, we have over 40 members. We meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month (except June, July, August, and September) at 10:00 a.m. We occasionally meet on Saturdays to accommodate working women.

Our chapter was named for the Kawaiisu Indians, who inhabited this area of Central California for the last 1,500 years. The habitat of the Kawaiisu Indians was the high desert of the Piute Mountains of the Sierra Nevada Range. The Kawaiisu belonged to the Chemehuevi Division of Indians, and like their ancestors, subsisted on small animals and various seeds. As the Kawaiisu migrated farther west and into the mountains, they found food and water more plentiful in the Kern River Valley. They, like their northern neighbors, the Tubatulabal, became known as the “pine nut eaters.” The Kawaiisu are known for their beautiful baskets, made from willows and cottonwoods that grew by the mountain streams.

Presently, much of the area is used for farming and cattle raising, along with tourist and recreational activities. Our region is filled with a high desert landscape, digger pines, and mountainous terrain. Many streams for fishing are available, along with hiking, as well as the mighty Kern River, a Class X “whitewater” rapid river used for fishing, recreational activities, and exciting whitewater rafting.

Today’s DAR

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About Us

Kawaiisu Chapter, NSDAR, supports our local schools, both elementary and high school. In January, we honor a deserving high school senior with the DAR Good Citizens Scholarship program. We encourage participation in the DAR American History Essay contests for students in grades five through eight. Every May, we give several deserving graduating high school seniors scholarship money to the college of their choice.

We help provide meals for our local veterans. We also participate in the local Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Flag Day activities to help promote patriotism and service to our country.

Chapter Board