Indigenous Communities & Land Acknowledgement

Recognizing the land, voice, and cultures that guide our shared journey

At Southwestern College, we honor the Indigenous peoples whose lands and cultures continue to shape who we are today. We recognize the Kumeyaay Nation as the original caretakers of the land where our campuses stand and thank them for their ongoing presence, wisdom, and contributions to the well-being of our region.

We also celebrate the Maya peoples whose histories, symbols, and living cultures are reflected in our campus architecture, art, and community.

Our Land Acknowledgment and Commitment to the Maya People represent more than words, they are guiding commitments to learn from, honor, and collaborate with Indigenous communities. We hold true to the principle that this work must be done with Indigenous peoples, not about them, ensuring that our partnerships and representations are grounded in mutual respect and shared leadership.

Together, we seek to deepen understanding, uphold cultural respect, and act in ways that reflect our shared values of equity, belonging, and care.

We are honored to be engaged in this meaningful work with Indigenous communities and will continue adding information here to reflect the ongoing programs, partnerships, and learning that bring these commitments to life.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the land upon which we sit and occupy today as the current, traditional, and ancestral home of the Kumeyaay Nation.

Before they were colonized and genocide occurred, Kumeyaay territory was vast and included Baja California to the South, Palomar Mountain to the North, and the Salton Sea to the East.  And in fact, included Southwestern College locations of Chula Vista, San Ysidro, National City and Otay Mesa.

Without them, we would not have access to this gathering or any of the services and benefits our district provides.  We take this opportunity to recognize the more than 500 years of demonstrated resilience and resistance in the face of violent actions taken by colonizers in efforts to separate them from their land, culture, and one another.  We acknowledge that despite this history, the Kumeyaay Nation continue to be an active, thriving people who contribute to the health and benefit of our region.

Let us not only remember but acknowledge, as a conscientious political act, that the land we are on is occupied Kumeyaay territory.

Commitment to the Maya People

Southwestern College is committed to building a strong and reciprocal relationship with Maya communities to bridge the past, present, and future of Maya cultures represented at Southwestern College.

We recognize that Maya people are present in our community and throughout the world, including Central America, Mexico, Cuba, and across regions such as Chiapas, Yucatan, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and more regions as they continue to move, migrate, and establish communities globally. Maya people represent more than 30 different indigenous nations and dozens of languages throughout the U.S., Canada, and other parts of the world.

The beauty and strength of the Maya people have provided inspiration for many communities, often marked by consequences of cultural erasure. We, at Southwestern College, have drawn much inspiration by using glyphs, artifacts, and building design without community consultation that would ensure cultural and historical context from a Maya people's perspective. As an Institution that prides itself on honoring all our communities, Southwestern College has an opportunity to practice culturally responsive education.

Southwestern College is committed to honoring the Maya people, acknowledging and preserving their history, language, culture, sacred traditions and contributions to astronomy, agriculture, engineering, communications, and art. We are committed to creating a welcoming campus environment that is culturally conscious and fosters a sense of belonging for Maya students, employees, and community members. We aim to have our actions reflect our values and to be active partners with Maya communities in promoting and supporting their cultures, traditions, and perspectives, while addressing contemporary issues impacting their communities.