The Kumeyaay Way - Winter 2008 - (Page 6)

Commitment to Community Story Name El Capitan Reservoir Looking Back at the The Kumeyaay Way  www.viejasbandofkumeyaay.org A A History of the Kumeyaay Waterways American settlers and the California Gold Rush were all events that contributed to the decimation of a nation. The loss was irrevocable—after 20,000 years of peaceful living, their ancestral lands were taken from them. The Kumeyaay, like most other native people, were forced off of their ancestral lands and onto reservations. In 1850, many treaties were negotiated with 18 California tribes to set aside 8.5 million acres for use as tribal lands, but the United States Senate never ratified them. While 8.5 million acres seems like a large amount, consider this: today the land constituting Indian reservations in the state of California is a mere 500,000 acres, or about 750 square miles. t one time the Kumeyaay had all the fresh water they needed to survive. They were stewards of the land with a thousand generations of experience in how best to use all surrounding natural resources for survival. This indigenous nation living in southern California and northern Mexico grew to nearly 100 villages near streams, creeks and other sources of nearby water, including what is now called the San Diego River. The ancient Kumeyaay people fished, grew crops, hunted game, and quenched their thirst in the fresh supply of local water—vital in an area that could sometimes suffer severe drought. Water was the lifeline of the Kumeyaay people and they conscientiously cared for their environment in order to maintain plentiful supplies. According to anthropologist Florence Shipek, the Kumeyaay engineered a highly effective system of water management to ensure the continued survival of their crops. The Establishment of the Capitan Grande In 1875, the U.S. government established several California reservations, including a fertile area near the San Diego River called Capitan Grande. This area included portions of the once ancestral lands of the Los Coñejos Band of the Kumeyaay. According to historians, the El Capitan Indian Reservation was one of the largest in San Diego County, Life Changes for the Kumeyaay 6 The Spanish invasion of 1769, the Mexican control of the region during 1826 to 1848, the encroachment of http://www.viejasbandofkumeyaay.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Kumeyaay Way - Winter 2008

The Kumeyaay Way - Winter 2008 Contents Kumeyaay History Looking Back at the River of Tears Keeping the Borders Open for All Kumeyaay Tribal Security—Safety First Cultural Embrace Viejas Tribal Member Rescues Eagle Education for All Future in Their Hands Viejas Pow Wow Honors Native American Veterans Growing Traditions—Viejas Community Garden Remember When

The Kumeyaay Way - Winter 2008

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