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San Diego City Council adopts resolution acknowledging Kumeyaay as original inhabitants
Summary
The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution directing a land acknowledgment be included in official meeting agendas and ceremonies and read the statement recognizing the Kumeyaay Nation as the original inhabitants of the unceded land now called San Diego.
San Diego City Council unanimously approved a resolution on June 10 directing that a land acknowledgment recognizing the Kumeyaay Nation be included in the council’s official meeting agendas and public ceremonies. Council President Ilo Rivera read the adopted acknowledgement, which honors the Kumeyaay as the original stewards of the region and recognizes the resilience of their people despite “the horrors of genocide and colonization.”
Mary Ann Osmond, deputy chief of staff and director of community empowerment for the council president’s office, told the council the resolution was developed “with our leaders and partners in our indigenous community” and described it as a step toward justice and reconciliation. Speakers from the Kanapuhaan Coalition and several Kumeyaay community leaders—among them Grace Alvarez Essema and Olympia Beltran—addressed the council during a ceremonial presentation and urged that the city pair the acknowledgment with visible markers and deeper, ongoing engagement.
Several public speakers praised the measure as long overdue and urged the council to expand efforts beyond a statement to include educational and visual recognition in City facilities and parks. A small number of callers questioned whether a land acknowledgment is merely symbolic; proponents responded that it should be a first step toward policies that protect sacred sites and incorporate indigenous knowledge into city planning.
Councilmember Campillo seconded the motion to adopt the resolution and thanked coalition members and staff for their work. Councilmember Foster asked staff and the mayor’s office to rededicate efforts to the relationship with the Kumeyaay and to review existing land‑use policies to ensure protections for cultural sites. The resolution passed unanimously. The council also accepted a flag gifted by Kumeyaay representatives and said staff will work to place it in a city display.
The council indicated follow-up will include staff coordination with the coalition and a review of policy and outreach opportunities to pair the acknowledgment with concrete actions.
