“Restor(y)ing the Santa Ysabel Mission During Its Bicentennial (1818–2018); Reckoning with Critical Mission History”

This paper uses an historical and ethnographical lens to document the restoration process and restor(y)ing of the Santa Ysabel Mission (Santa Ysabel Reservation in San Diego County). The Mission Myth is a settler colonial fantasy used to justify the eradication of First Peoples, our history, and our land tenure and stewardship. My use of the term “restor(y)ing” is derived from several critical Tribal theories and methodologies. By utilizing oral history and personal correspondence with tribal members, this talk features their perspectives and understanding about local Spanish Mission history to present a critical analysis of California Mission Studies. This talk supports the work of the Critical Mission Indian Studies project which combined the work of California American Indian community members, academics, allied researchers, and activist partners to establish California American Indian understandings and to center California American Indian perspectives in telling the history of California Indian-Spanish relations during the mission period and the continuing ramifications of that historical era.