On Thursday, San Diego’s 250th anniversary commemorations began with ceremonies near the historic landing site, at the present-day Embarcadero Marina Park North. While many hail these long-ago soldiers, missionaries and settlers as the founders of California’s first permanent city, the region’s Indians have a different view.
“It’s not a founding,” said Stan Rodriguez, director of the Kumeyaay Community College and a member of the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. “It’s an encroachment.”
“This is a great story to tell,” said Pinto, one of the speakers at Thursday’s ceremonies. “It is our story, it is our history, and we are not going anywhere.”
After many dark episodes, the tale of the local Kumeyaay, Luiseño and Cupeño nations seems to be entering a happier chapter.
“We are going through a renaissance of sorts now,” said John Elliott, a member of the Manzanita Band’s tribal council. “It’s a great time to be Kumeyaay.”
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