Home / Environment / California Tribe Regains 1,100+ Acres of Ancestral Land, Reviving Traditional Practices
California Tribe Regains 1,100+ Acres of Ancestral Land, Reviving Traditional Practices
17 Oct
Summary
- Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel regains 1,107 acres of ancestral land
- Land return part of $100M program to restore Indigenous land management
- Tribe plans to open cultural and educational center on the property
As of October 17th, 2025, the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel has regained ownership of 1,107 acres of their ancestral land in San Diego County, California. This land return is part of a $100 million program launched by the state of California to restore Indigenous tribes' management of lands they have historically cared for.
The deputy secretary for tribal affairs at the California Natural Resources Agency, Geneva E. B. Thompson, explains that this initiative recognizes the vital role tribes have played in the stewardship and co-evolution of the state's environment. The disruption of traditional ecological knowledge and land management practices has led to the degradation of California's landscapes, including increased wildfire severity.
In response, the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel plans to open the Ewiinally Traditional Ecological Knowledge Center on the reclaimed property. This cultural and educational facility will allow the tribe to share their centuries-old practices and wisdom, which support biodiversity and sustainable land use.
The return of this ancestral land is more than just a territorial restoration, according to INSY Chairman Kevin Osuna. It represents a reclamation of the tribe's identity, responsibility, and the opportunity for healing. With the land now under their stewardship, the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel can continue to thrive and share their traditional ecological knowledge for the benefit of all.
