Indigenous Wisdom Walk

Week of February 17, 2024

Since ancient times, native Kumeyaay peoples have lived in and around the lands where Rancho La Puerta is located today. Local Kumeyaay Norma Meza grew up in the footsteps of her ancestors, learning from childhood how to interact with plants, animals and the unique spirit of the land. Join Norma and naturalist Mike Wilken for a fascinating walk to the Kumeyaay homesite, as she shares her deep knowledge of traditional native lifeways and the nature of our local region. The very special walk is interactive, questions are welcome.

This is an easy 1.5  mile walk with stops along the way to talk about traditional uses of native plants and ways of understanding the land. Sage or other herbs may be burned as part of a special blessing ritual. Norma speaks Kumeyaay and Spanish; Mike Wilken will interpret, translating to English for her along the way.

 

Norma Meza is from the traditional Kumeyaay lands of Ja’aa, also known as Alamo (Cottonwood) Creek in Baja California. She is a widely recognized cultural authority of the Mescuichs clan, having taught special workshops on Kumeyaay Ethnobotany, language and traditional culture.