What: Indigenous Heritage Week & Sustainable Design Forum
Where: UC San Diego Park & Market, 1100 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101
When: November 21, 2024, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Pacific)
Tickets: Reserve Your Tickets Online at IndigenousForum.org

[San Diego, CA – September 30], San Diego Sister Cities proudly announces the Indigenous Sustainable Design Forum on November 21, 2024, at UC San Diego Park & Market. A partnership between San Diego Sister Cities and UC San Diego Global Initiatives, co-hosted by the Kumeyaay and Maasai peoples, the forum is the first of its kind, seeking to advance San Diego’s sustainable future by sharing Indigenous knowledge. Additional Forum sponsors include World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024, San Diego State University, and My Chosen Vessels.

The Forum aims to inspire sustainable solutions by honoring and integrating Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge into San Diego’s sustainable development plans. It will gather Indigenous leaders from around the world, as well as representatives of San Diego Sister Cities partnerships across Indigenous nations, the US, Mexico, Australia, Japan, Kenya, Brazil, and beyond.

In observance of Native American Heritage Month, the Forum will kick off Indigenous Heritage Week, a series of Indigenous-led workshops, lectures, and cultural activities across university campuses in San Diego County, held in collaboration with area cultural institutions and businesses. These events will feature panel discussions, cultural exhibits, art displays, an Indigenous bazaar, a showcase of Indigenous films, virtual reality experiences, and more.

We are especially excited to host an advance screening of the film We Are Guardians, produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, featuring a special appearance by Puyr Tembé, the film’s central figure.

Additionally, Koji Kinjo will join us, whose groundbreaking work in coral transplantation and ocean protection is shaping the future of marine conservation, offering San Diego insights for safeguarding its own precious coastline. This is a remarkable opportunity to deepen cross-cultural connections and explore how Indigenous perspectives can shape San Diego’s sustainable future.

“Attendees will experience vibrant cultural entertainment, including traditional dances, music, and authentic heritage,” said Jessica Censotti, Executive Director of San Diego Sister Cities.

“These performances are not just captivating—they are crucial for education and fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous peoples and their sustainable practices.”

“Experiencing cultural performances first hand allows attendees to connect with the rich history, values, and practices of Indigenous communities,” said Tamara Cunningham, Associate Vice Chancellor of Global Initiatives at UC San Diego. “These cultural expressions serve as powerful storytelling and preservation tools, celebrating diversity.”

“When you have a whole bundle of arrows together, it’s impossible to break,” said Dr. Stanley Rodriguez, referring to the unity of Indigenous leaders around the world in San Diego. — Dr. Stanley Rodriguez, Kumeyaay Council Member of the Santa Ysabel Band of the Iipay Nation in San Diego & Commissioner of the California Native American Heritage Commission.

About San Diego Sister Cities
San Diego Sister Cities is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting peace and defining the global identity of San Diego through citizen diplomacy. With 24 international partnerships spanning 23 countries, we are proud members of the Sister Cities International network, established by President Eisenhower in 1956. This network aims to strengthen binational relations and currently connects over 2,000 communities across 140 countries, fostering cultural understanding and collaboration worldwide.