At Comic-Con, Kumeyaay Tribe Reveals Plans to Counter the ‘Romanticized Lie’

Comic books have been used to tell all kinds of stories. Now Native American tribal leaders in San Diego are going to use the format to tell their story.

Tribal leaders announced plans at Comic-Con Friday to develop a comic book project that will tell the long, rich history of the Kumeyaay tribe.

“It’s a comics project about some of our most important stories — past, present and future,” said Ethan Banegas, a lecturer with the American Indian Studies program at San Diego State University and a descendant of the Kumeyaay tribe.

The Kumeyaay Nation Visual Storytelling Project is being developed by the tribe and partners, inclding the San Diego County Office of Education and the National Museum of the American Indian.

It will include not only a comic book but also lesson plans for schools, a website, a research archive and educational posters that can be displayed in community centers.

“This is an opportunity for us to tell our story in our words,” said Lorraine Orosco, education executive director for the San Pasqual Band of Indians.

Many people, including Native Americans, don’t know much about local tribes, other than about the casinos they operate.

“We’re much more than casinos,” Banegas said.

Organizers said the project will dispel myths about Native American tribal members in California.

“Our story is not being taught,” said Stanley Rodriguez, an instructor of Kumeyaay language and board member of the Kumeyaay Community College. “It’s important for our people to learn because if it’s not, it’s a romanticized lie.”

Project leaders said they hope to launch the project next year.