The Kumeyaay community in San Diego is taking significant steps to preserve their cultural heritage while raising awareness about the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Conversations with Kumeyaay leaders reveal their commitment to revitalizing the Kumeyaay language and addressing historical injustices that impact their tribal members today.
Preserving the Kumeyaay Language
As November marks Native American Heritage Month, Kumeyaay leaders, including Stan Rodriguez, chair of Kumeyaay studies at Cuyamaca College, are actively working to revive the endangered Kumeyaay language. Rodriguez emphasizes that the language was once forbidden, especially during periods when Native Americans were forced into boarding schools, resulting in generations of lost linguistic heritage.
Rodriguez argues that speaking the Kumeyaay language today is an act of resistance against a legacy of trauma. The historical efforts to eradicate Indigenous languages aimed at assimilation have left a profound impact. “When you have reservations today, that truly is an act of resistance,” he explains, highlighting the cultural significance of language as a vessel for identity and spirituality.
Another Kumeyaay educator, Nicholas Calloway Smith, shares his personal journey of learning the language through dictionaries and recordings from tribal elders. He emphasizes that understanding the Kumeyaay language opens up a unique worldview, allowing speakers to connect deeply with their roots and culture.
Smith is currently studying linguistics at California State University San Marcos and is integrating his heritage into academic projects, promoting awareness and appreciation of the Kumeyaay culture among his peers.
Raising Awareness on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People
In addition to language preservation, local Kumeyaay tribes are forming coalitions to address the alarming statistics surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous people. According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indigenous communities in the United States experience violent crime at significantly higher rates than the national average. This issue is particularly pressing in San Diego County, which has the largest Native American population in California.
The initiative, known as MIP San Diego, was established through a partnership among several Kumeyaay tribes, including the Manzanita Band, San Pasqual, and Sycuan. Program director Danielle Bush explains that the coalition aims to strengthen the response to these crimes through community engagement and education. MIP San Diego organizes monthly meetings with representatives from thirteen tribes to coordinate efforts and develop prevention programs.
Bush highlights that the organization has launched an awareness campaign, which includes over 40 billboards throughout the region to draw attention to the issue. They are also implementing training programs in collaboration with the National Criminal Justice Training Center, focusing on search and rescue techniques to assist missing persons cases.
Summer Elliott, housing services liaison at the Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition, emphasizes the importance of community support for victims and their families. She notes that the lack of media attention and urgency in reporting missing person cases often leaves families feeling unheard and unsafe. “When people go missing, that’s absolutely wrong,” she states, reinforcing the need for advocacy and awareness.
Both Elliott and Bush are passionate about honoring the lives of those lost to violence and are actively working to build relationships between Indigenous communities and law enforcement. They aim to bridge gaps in jurisdictional boundaries that complicate investigations into these cases, ensuring that every voice is heard and every life is valued.
As the Kumeyaay community continues to honor their heritage through language and cultural education, they also strive to confront the challenges posed by violence against Indigenous people. These efforts reflect a commitment to resilience, healing, and the preservation of a rich cultural legacy.
