(Image: Flag of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, which is incorporated into the United Kumeyaay Flag with those of 11 other Kumeyaay Bands)
San Diego Unified students participated in a historical event as the Kumeyaay flag was raised at the District Offices on Normal Street on November 3, 2023. Students, parents, district staff, Native leaders, and community members joined on the lawn to celebrate the raising of a cherished flag, with a dramatic story of its own. Hoisted by students, they saw it fly for the first time on district grounds.
After the SDUSD board signed a resolution officially declaring November as Native American Heritage Month, this act came as a welcome action to show acknowledgement and respect to local tribes on whose land most of San Diego now inhabits.
Connie Greybull, (Hunkpapa Lakota, Shoshone-Bannock)Indian Education Director, with support from Dr. Ricardo (Ricky) Medina ,organized the event that ranged from the serious to the joyous. While the media’s cameras snapped, Harmony Sweetgrass, Kumeyaay Princess (Sycuan), opened the occasion by saying she was honored to be a part of the ceremony. She introduced Board of Education member, Cody Petterson, who delivered an impassioned land acknowledgement, full of meaningful reminders that moved some audience members to tears.
“We took the land we are standing on from your people. We took these canyons from you. These coastlines. And wetlands. And rivers. These forests teeming with life. We took the oak and sycamore and pines. We took the acorns. We took the deer. We took food from your children’s mouths.”
Petterson, who has extensive experience in working with indigenous peoples, continued, “An acknowledgement without action, without restitution, is no comfort at all. Is no justice at all . . .With regard to our Native children and youth, we will continue to reverse the historical inequalities that have characterized our educational system.”
Yvette, (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation) a Mt. View Elementary 5th grade student, spoke next. She thanked the audience for being there and shared that, in her classroom, students show an interest in her culture, which makes her feel seen and proud of who she is. She even gave a shout out to her teacher who has made a difference with lessons of inclusion and support. She thanked the community for their time and support. She then introduced Blue Eagle and the Kumeyaay Bird Singers that include Jaime LaBrake (Sycuan Tribal Councilman), who shared his message, requesting help in preserving indigenous knowledge, preserving nature and culture, and the holistic values of his people. The Bird Singers then sang, and the young people danced.
Soon Marcia Hunter, (MHA Nation, N. Dakota) Indian Education Parent Committee Chair, thanked the audience for being there and recalled the successes of the Indian Education Program. Among them are the ongoing classes led by Carla Toureville (Tule River) and Chuck Cadotte. She also thanked Connie Greybull for all her efforts with informing the community and gathering people together. She recalled the success of the first District Pow Wow held last year at the Ballard Center, and she encouraged people to attend the next pow wow to be held March 2024.
Student Giovianni, (Colorado River Indian Tribes) a 3rd grader from Clay Elementary, spoke next, echoing the messages of others; we need to support our indigenous young people, provide support, encourage more accurate histories, and provide educator opportunities to explore ways to support young people in the schools.
Chuck Cadotte, (Standing Rock Lakota), cultural educator and dance teacher, shared the program’s success in the cultural opportunities for Native students, dance classes, storytelling, beading, sewing, and other skills taught weekly. Just recently, Indian Ed held a college fair and a fall harvest experience for students and their families. Options exist for young people to learn from their cultural elders and invested community members. Cadotte praised the group. Then the students demonstrated multiple dance styles to the crowd.
Soon Bobby Wallace (Barona Band of Mission Indians)spoke and held the Kumeyaay flag to be raised. The flag was gifted to him by his cousin, Julie LaBrake (Sycuan), and since receiving it, Wallace has carried the flag on many important occasions such as the “Run With the Sun” trek, across country journey that called attention to the many threats to our clean water. “Walking Stick”, as he is also known, described only some of the adventures of the flag, including a stint on the aircraft carrier, the USS Midway.
Bobby likely has more stories about the Kumeyaay flag that holds the logos of the 12 bands of Kumeyaay. He alluded to several of them, but those are stories for another time. Wallace spoke of the need for all to acknowledge the original keepers of the land. The raising and displaying of the flag is “a step toward actual healing of our people and telling the truth of this land.”
The flag was attached, and students hoisted it up. Drumming aided the efforts. Many recorded the historic images, and student and community shared the historic moment. Group photos were taken, blankets were offered, and young people felt the effect of the occasion.
Now it is time to see what steps San Diego Unified will take to continue its support to Indigenous students. The efforts must go beyond the month of November.
In a recent, well-attended Ethnic Studies Conference held at Hoover High School, Dr. Medina demonstrated his commitment. Teachers listened to experts in the field and received resources for their classrooms. Dr. Petterson stated his commitment by saying, “We will continue to strengthen a curriculum for all students that accurately describes our history and that gives a prominent place in that history to our region’s Native inhabitants.”And thoughtfully reflecting on the raised flag, Bobby Wallace concluded, “It’s sad to see it go, but (it is) for everybody that’s been here before us and for everybody that’s coming.”
