Event

Third Thursday Author Series: Native Americans of SD County

Join author Donna Bradley as she shares the story of indigenous tribal groups in our county.

Archeological findings verify the occupation of San Diego County by Native Americans going back over 10,000 years, though little is recorded of their history before 1542, when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay and claimed the local territory for Spain. The native population at that time is estimated to have been 20,000, just as it is today. There are 18 reservations in the San Diego County area (17 of which are currently functioning), more than in any other county in the United States. The four primary tribal groups making up the Native Americans of the San Diego County area are the Kumeyaay (also known as Diegueo), Luiseo, Cupeo, and Cahuilla. Each of these groups has faced many hardships and setbacks while attempting to rebuild their nations to the proud peoples they once were, still are, and always shall be.

Author, historian, genealogist, and Native American Donna Bradley tells the story of the indigenous tribal groups of San Diego County through rare vintage photographs and rich historical narrative, depicting their life through the years and their fight to maintain a land that has always been theirs, having belonged to their forefathers as far back as time can be remembered.