The Children of Cupa

"The Children of Cupa" by Mary E. Mannix is an early 20th-century story about the Page family's healing summer in California, where the sick Mrs. Page, along with Nellie and Walter, go camping near Warner's Hot Springs, planning to reside near a Cupeño Indian community. As the children become excited about living in an Indian village, the narrative draws attention to the unjust eviction of the Cupeño people from their ancestral lands. The family conversations reveal the planned camping arrangements and the unique experiences Nellie and Walter will have, but also expose a period filled with cultural conflict around land ownership. The children anticipate exploring their new surroundings and getting to know the local indigenous community, setting the scene for interwoven family bonding, cultural awareness, and historical context.