Jose Ernest Ortega, 82; Co-Founded Tribal Board

Jose Ernest Ortega, grandson of the last Native American to speak the Fernandeno dialect, has died at his San Fernando home. He was 82.

Ortega died Saturday of cancer, said his nephew, Rudy Ortega Jr.

Better known as “Ernie,” Ortega was born Dec. 10, 1919, in Los Angeles and raised in San Fernando, where he lived his entire life. Ortega was a plumber by trade who, along with other family members, became interested in the late 1960s in establishing a board for the Fernandeno-Tataviam tribe, which helped build the San Fernando Mission.

During Ortega’s nearly 25 years as a board member, in which he planned cultural events, the tribe’s rolls grew from about 300 to 940. Ortega’s grandfather, Antonio Maria Ortega, was the last person to speak the tribe’s dialect.

Ortega is survived by his wife of 62 years, Della; sons Ernest and James, both of San Fernando; brothers Rudy Ortega Sr. of Palmdale and Richard “Jimmy” Ortega of San Fernando; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. Friday at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills.