What if I told you that the very ground beneath your feet holds the stories of a people who have lived here for over 10,000 years? We are standing on the land of the Sycuan Kumeyaay Nation. Their history predates California and the United States. The Kumeyaay people lived freely here.
The Sycuan Kumeyaay Nation is one of four indigenous nations in the San Diego area. Sycuan’s lineage traces back to the San Dieguito Paleo Indians. They were here around 10,000 B.C. That’s a long time.
Around 1,000 A.D., environmental changes pushed the Kumeyaay eastward. This group became the Southern Diegueno people. They are the ancestors of the Sycuan Band in Dehesa Valley. The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation has persevered through immense change.
The Kumeyaay language has two dialects. These are Iipay which is southern and Tiipay which is northern. The Kumeyaay language is part of the Yuman stock. This includes other languages like Cocopah and Mohave.
The Sycuan Reservation lies six miles from El Cajon. It’s about 20 miles from San Diego. An order in 1875 set aside land for this reservation. The Sycuan Business Committee governs the Sycuan Reservation. It has seven elected members. Tribal officials include a spokesperson and a vice-chairperson. They also have a secretary and a treasurer. The tribe follows Articles of Association approved in 1972.
The Sycuan Band opened its first gambling facility in 1983. It was called the Sycuan Bingo Palace. Now, they run a casino and a golf course. In 2003, the Sycuan band purchased the U. S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego. In 2023, the Sycuan band co-owned San Diego FC.
The Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming receives support from the Sycuan band. It is a research institute at San Diego State University.
Kumeyaay Community College was created by the Sycuan Band. It supports cultural identity and sovereignty. It meets the needs of native and non-Native students.
The Sycuan Kumeyaay Nation’s story is one of resilience and adaptation. Their traditions live on. Their contributions enrich San Diego County. They are still here.