Photo: Kuuchamaa, aka Tecate Peak, Kumeyaay sacred place near US Mexican border, photo by UncleMunkle, Wikimedia
Dear Governor Newsom,
I hope this letter reaches you. I am Gerardo Andrés García Cota Kumiai/Kumeyaay tribal member, descendant Kumiai tribal leader Jatñil Mezquish the Black Horse Nijat. I have been fighting for equal rights for my people for many years with no progress, just empty promises.
The sacred mountain located on the us-Mexico border, Tecate Peak (or Teca,t how my kumiai people call it) is 26 miles from the southern coast of California and Baja California border. Kuuchamaa/Cuchuma is a sacred mountain where my family would have our sacred ceremonies to pray towards (Maijja - translation in English to the word God the Almighty). I am requesting that that land be return to my family of the Kumiai people located in Tecate that has been my family’s land ever since time began and is now known as a natural historic site. We request that land be returned to my people where we have prayed since the beginning of time. It is, and always will be, a place of praise and thanksgiving. I am requesting this be returned. I am doing this in the name of my elders (Josefina Meza, Norma Alicia Meza Calles, Yolanda Meza Calles, Thelma Meza) from a lengthy list.
Thank you again and hope to hear from you soon to establish a path toward a resolution of this culturally sensitive issue for my people.
