MY EMPLOYER IS RE-NAMING THINGS: The University of San Diego, whose campus is graced with beautiful Spanish architecture and mission imagery, has resolved to “better recognize the rich history of the Kumeyaay Nation.” To that end, the University President announced in an email message a while ago that “Serra Hall,” previously named for St. Junipero Serra has been re-named “Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall.” According to the message, this is “meant to encourage continued dialogue on the important topic of colonialization, the spread of the Catholic faith and the impact both had on Native American populations.”
Tekakwitha, however, was a 17th century Mohawk woman who spent her life in New York and Canada. It’s unlikely Tekakwitha and her fellow Mohawks had ever heard of the Kumeyaay Nation. Moreover, it’s worth noting that the Mohawks of her era were not known for respecting the autonomy of neighboring tribes, so it’s not clear why anyone should regard this as an effort to recognize the Kumeyaay.
History is messy.