California History
Local Natives, Landmarks, and Leaders
Brooke Williams
HIS 41-: California History
Professor Kristin Hargrove
February 1, 2014
Local Natives, Landmarks, and Leaders California is a state that has much diversity and historical context. This area was originally inhabited exclusively by Native Americans, but since that time there have been many different rulers and settlers in the state. Since there have been many different ethnic groups occupying the land, this state is very rich in history. Today, there is evidence of numerous groups that once lived in various areas of the state, and there are several landmarks that illustrate the past of California. California is a very modern, accepting state that has leaders that explore the possibilities for all different types of people in the state. Three topics that display California’s past and present are the following: the Kumeyaay, a California indigenous group that opened the first Museum on a San Diego County Indian Reservation, the Old Mission Dam, which was the first major irrigation project on the Pacific coast of the United States, and Todd Gloria, the current Interim Mayor of San Diego that is openly gay with a strong voice in societal issues. The Kumeyaay group has been part of California since before the state was even founded. This group has survived and overcome many challenges throughout history, and they are now a group that is striving. One of the battles that the Kumeyaay had to overcome was the restrictions on religion since American Indian Religious Freedom was not acquired until 1978 (Timeline). Since this time, this group has become more involved and voiced their opinions in various ways, such as bringing a team effort to the protection, preservation, and restoration of the environment. They have also created and expanded gaming via casinos on their lands. In addition to these developments, this group was also named as a contender in the multi-million dollar
Brooke Williams
HIS 41-: California History
Professor Kristin Hargrove
February 1, 2014
Local Natives, Landmarks, and Leaders California is a state that has much diversity and historical context. This area was originally inhabited exclusively by Native Americans, but since that time there have been many different rulers and settlers in the state. Since there have been many different ethnic groups occupying the land, this state is very rich in history. Today, there is evidence of numerous groups that once lived in various areas of the state, and there are several landmarks that illustrate the past of California. California is a very modern, accepting state that has leaders that explore the possibilities for all different types of people in the state. Three topics that display California’s past and present are the following: the Kumeyaay, a California indigenous group that opened the first Museum on a San Diego County Indian Reservation, the Old Mission Dam, which was the first major irrigation project on the Pacific coast of the United States, and Todd Gloria, the current Interim Mayor of San Diego that is openly gay with a strong voice in societal issues. The Kumeyaay group has been part of California since before the state was even founded. This group has survived and overcome many challenges throughout history, and they are now a group that is striving. One of the battles that the Kumeyaay had to overcome was the restrictions on religion since American Indian Religious Freedom was not acquired until 1978 (Timeline). Since this time, this group has become more involved and voiced their opinions in various ways, such as bringing a team effort to the protection, preservation, and restoration of the environment. They have also created and expanded gaming via casinos on their lands. In addition to these developments, this group was also named as a contender in the multi-million dollar
References: (2014). About todd gloria. Retrieved from http://www.sandiego.gov/mayor/about/index.shtml Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.kumeyaay.com/kumeyaay-history.html?id=1:timeline&catid=1 White, B. (1997). Reflections of Old Mission Dam, Retrieved from http://historyandculture.com/writings/missiondam.html White, B. (1997). Waterworks system. The Mission San Diego de Alcala Waterworks System, Retrieved from http://historyandculture.com/waterworks/