San Diego County Unveils 35-Foot Pole Honoring 18 Tribal Nations
The new installation at the County Administration Center features a custom flag and art wall, marking a formal dedication for Native American Heritage Month.
By Marina Weber ·
San Diego County dedicated a new Tribal Land Acknowledgement installation at its Administration Center on November 12. The project centers on a 35-foot flagpole that flies a specially designed Tribal Nations flag. This physical marker joins an art wall created by the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association (SCTCA) and an educational plaque. The plaque includes a QR code that links visitors to the County Tribal Relations webpage.
The county contains the highest number of tribal nations of any county in the United States. The ceremony recognized 18 federally recognized tribal governments. These groups are represented by 17 distinct tribal entities on the flag and plaque. The nations belong to four cultural groups: the Kumeyaay, Luiseño, Cahuilla, and Cupeño.
Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer and Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre cohosted the event with the SCTCA. The gathering served as a celebration of Native American Heritage Month. It also reinforced the government-to-government relationships between the county and these tribal entities.
Public attendees participated in a blessing of the installation. Booths displayed cultural artifacts and art from tribal serving organizations. Youth from the All-Tribes Charter School performed communal songs and dances. Miss Kumeyaay and Little Miss Kumeyaay also appeared at the venue.
The installation symbolizes the county’s effort to integrate tribal perspectives into public policy. It also touches on environmental justice and governance. The county cites the original stewardship of the land by Indigenous People since time immemorial as the historical basis for the project. Raising the representative tribal flag is intended to demonstrate respect for the unique identities of each community.
