2015 Centennial Celebration Honoring Kumeyaay Nation

Jane Dumas (June 25, 1924- May 3, 2014) is a member of the Jamul Band of Kumeyaay Indians in East County. She spent a lifetime teaching, leading and advocating for the American Indian community of San Diego, always emphasizing the value and importance of traditional language and history in today’s urban and American Indian societies. She’s made it her lifelong mission to teach the language of the Kumeyaay people to American Indians and non-Indians alike, and to share the healing powers of native plants. In 1981, Jane helped found the San Diego American Indian Health Center, and since 1986 she has been described as an “anchor, leader, peacemaker, and bridge between Indian and non-Indians in the areas of medicine and education” and believes that “we can become healthier as both individuals and as a community by incorporating traditional knowledge and spirituality.”

In honor of Jane Dumas, the Dumas family and the Kumeyaay Nation who once resided in Balboa Park, WorldBeat Center would like to dedicate the newly added California Native Garden to the Kumeyaay Nation. Join us on October 3rd as WorldBeat Center salutes the Kumeyaay Nation and Jane Dumas, a native plant teacher and Kumeyaay member as a part of WorldBeat Center’s calendar of Balboa Park’s Centennial Celebrations.

For more info on Jane Dumas and the Kumeyaay Nation CLICK HERE