CSUSM collaborates with internal and external tribal communities to achieve mutual goals. 

Brief History of CSUSM and Tribal Communities

"Uncle Henry" Rodriquez Biography

Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel Partnership

Cal State San Marcos and the Santa Ysabel Indian tribe recently formed a partnership on 2007, in an effort to increase the number of young American Indians attending college.

Top, tribal Chairman Johnny Hernandez and CSUSM President Karen Haynes sign a Memorandum of Understanding at a Jan. 24 gathering on the Santa Ysabel Reservation. During the event, Ron Christman and his grandson, Forest Hill, performed a bird song as a blessing, and the tribe presented Haynes and CSUSM tribal liaison Bonnie Biggs with gifts of blankets.

Middle, pictured are, in back row from left, Tribal Council members Bonnie Salgado, Rodney Kephart, Treasurer Marion Linton, Vice Chairwoman Brandie Taylor and Secretary Tony Balcone; and in front row from left, Hernandez and Haynes.

Bottom, Haynes, left, and Biggs wrap themselves in the blankets given to them by the Santa Ysabel Indian tribe.

Photos courtesy of Garrett Collins