For the last year, our Governing Board has begun each public meeting with a verbal land acknowledgement to honor the Kumeyaay Nation, on whose land all of our campuses occupy. It has been a conscientious, political act to recognize the nearly 500 years of demonstrated resilience and resistance to the actions taken by colonizers to separate the Kumeyaay people from their land, culture and one another.
At this month’s Governing Board meeting on Dec. 14, our trustees will move beyond words and into action. Through Resolution No. 2265, Southwestern College will permanently waive all facility rental fees for members of the 13 federally recognized Kumeyaay tribes within San Diego County.
During its 61-year history, Southwestern College has been a community hub, offering educational, recreational and cultural opportunities to the entire region. Community members–seeking opportunities for educational attainment, career development and personal growth-have enrolled in our credit and non-credit classes. Sports teams have played on our fields and have competed in our pools. Actors, singers, dancers and audience members have enjoyed our performing arts facilities.
We are proud to be that community hub and even more proud to share everything that has been made possible by the original people of this land.
As far as we know, we are the only community college in all of California to create such a partnership. As leaders, we anxiously await the opportunities our students, faculty, staff and community members will have to share in the richness of the tribes’ culture.
Members of the Kumeyaay tribes have maintained their indigenous languages and have made distinct and important contributions in such fields as agriculture, astronomy, medicine, music and art.
The possibilities are endless on the cultural exchanges that will take place at Southwestern College moving forward. Our community will be richer for it.
