Critical Mission Studies: California Indian Perspectives on the Spanish Missions

This bus tour challenges the romantic, fantasy narratives about the Spanish missions that are a core part of California's tourist industry. Centering California Indian perspectives this tour returns to historical sites to learn about Indigenous resistance to Spanish colonization and mission.

This tour will be led by Dr. Stanley Rodriguez (Santa Ysabel Band of the Iipay Nation), president of Kumeyaay Community College, and member of the State of California Native Heritage Commission. Dr. Rodriguez will provide a critical perspective on California mission history which focuses on the Kumeyaay (who burned down Mission San Diego in 1775). The tour includes Mission San Diego, a visit to a burial site of Kumeyaay ancestors who resisted missionization, a Kumeyaay Native garden and cultural site, and a Kumeyaay crafts gift shop in Old Town San Diego.  

This tour requires pre-registration. If you pre-registered for this tour please see this important information.

Meet your tour guides and bus outside of the convention center in front of Hall F (city side of the convention center) at 8:45 a.m. The tour will depart promptly at 9:00 a.m. Remember to wear comfortable shoes. This tour is rain or shine.