Honoring the Ancestors: Conceptions of Death Among Native Americans in San Diego

Location

Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall, 200, Humanities Center

Free

This panel, moderated by Persephone Lewis, USD tribal liaison, brings together members of the local Kumeyaay and Luiseño tribal nations who discuss the importance of honoring their ancestors, as well as local traditions and practices that are particular to their communities.

In fall of 2017, the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego  agreed to return the land upon which the Jamul Indian Village's church and cemetery were built. Since the return of the lands, the tribe has engaged in a project that seeks to identify and acknowledge the ancestors buried at this site. Please join Carlene Chamberlain and Chairwoman Erica Pinto as they discuss the importance of the cemetery to the tribe and their effort to recognize those who are buried there.

This event is part of Día de Muertos: Ancestral Tradition and Cultural Transformation Across Borders - Weeklong Celebration of Art, Community and Memory on October 28 to November 1.

Sponsored by the Humanities Center and curated by Antonieta Mercado, PhD, associate professor in USD’s Department of Communication Studies.

About the Speakers

Erica M. Pinto currently serves as Chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village of California, one of the 13 tribes of the Kumeyaay Nation who trace their roots back 12,000 years in San Diego County, California. Her extensive executive experience gives her a sophisticated grasp on even the most complex aspects of tribal governance.

Ms. Pinto has been involved with the JIV Tribal Council since 1997, becoming a Council Member at the age of 22. Serving for more than 17 years on the Council, she was appointed Vice Chair of the Tribal Council in 2008. In 2015, she was the first woman elected Chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village, an honor she proudly holds today.

Carlene A. Chamberlain serves as the Secretary and Enrollment Clerk for the Jamul Indian Village Tribal Council. Her duties include recording Tribal Council and General Council meetings as well as maintaining and updating family information for each Tribal Member.

Mrs. Chamberlain has been a member of the Tribal Council since 1992 and previously served as Vice-Chairwoman for many years before assuming her current role. Mrs. Chamberlain enjoys serving her people and encouraging the young women in her Tribe to assume leadership roles. She is also a board member of the Southern Indian Health Council, a seven-member consortium of the most southern Tribes, which participates in meeting the health care needs for local reservations.

This event is part of Día de Muertos: Ancestral Tradition and Cultural Transformation Across Borders - Weeklong Celebration of Art, Community and Memory on October 28 to November 1.

Sponsored by the Humanities Center and curated by Antonieta Mercado, PhD, associate professor in USD’s Department of Communication Studies.