Newsletter: San Diego’s Indigenous communities mourn the loss of Rincon Chairman Bo Mazzetti
Plus, a guide to staying safe as an activist and local AANHPI leaders share their hopes for year-round support that goes beyond heritage month celebrations.
Sekon (Hello), everyone,
San Diego’s Indigenous community is mourning the loss of Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians Chairman Bo Mazzetti, who died from cancer last Thursday at age 77, the tribe reported this week.
Mazzetti attended Orange Glen High School in Escondido before joining the U.S. Navy and serving during the Vietnam War, according to a statement from Rincon Director of Communications Tanya Duggan. He earned a behavioral science degree from California Polytechnic University, then served as the Indian Affairs officer for San Diego County.
In 2002, Mazzetti was elected to Rincon’s tribal council, eventually making his way up to vice chairman. He was elected as chairman in 2008 and served in the role until his death.
Mazzetti was a staunch supporter for Indigenous rights throughout the state and beyond.
He was a founder and member of the Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association, a non-profit corporation made up of 25 tribes supporting the well-being of tribal communities in San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
In 2021, Mazzetti’s long-time advocacy for tribal sovereignty contributed to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors rescinding a decades-old blanket ban on fee-to-trust applications. Removing that barrier means tribes in the region can now more easily transfer land they purchase into sovereign, tribal control under a federal application process.
Under his leadership in 2023, Rincon withdrew from its California tribal gaming compact, opting to instead work under federal supervision. The unprecedented move allowed the tribe a greater ability to self-govern and ended nearly two decades of dispute over how the state assesses gaming regulation costs.
I had the opportunity to interview and chat with Mazzetti on many occasions as the Indigenous communities reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune and during my transition to co-founding Daylight San Diego. His hearty laugh could fill any room, and he was always willing to answer my questions about local tribal affairs in great detail.
A visitation will be held at the Alhiser-Comer Mortuary in Escondido on Friday, May 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral service at Valley Center Community Church on May 17 begins with a viewing at 9 a.m., followed by the ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Rincon Reservation at 11 a.m.
Anyone who would like to pay their respects to Mazzetti and his loved ones can make a donation in his honor to the American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Memorial.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Staying Safe as an Activist Under Trump
In the last month, demonstrations sprang up across San Diego addressing Palestinian rights, protections for immigrants and workers and the ongoing threat of climate change in response to President Donald Trump’s policies. Activist San Diego recently hosted a panel on digital, physical and emotional safety to address risks that many activists feel are heightened by the current administration. — Marco Guardo
AANHPI Community Balances Acknowledging Struggles and Celebrating Heritage
San Diego is celebrating Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month with festivals and cultural events, but community leaders say the moment also calls for action. With federal diversity programs under threat and AANHPI youth facing mental health challenges, advocates are pushing for deeper engagement and year-round support from the whole San Diego community. — Lauren J. Mapp
A huge thank you from all of us at Daylight to everyone who has supported our launch so far!
We’re especially grateful to our newest donors — Jerry McCormick, Derric Podschun, Danielle Williams, Sam Fiske and several others not interested in the limelight — who helped us raise $990 this week. With your support, we’re making real progress toward our $50,000 goal by July 1.
Every dollar helps power community-centered journalism and cover the foundational costs of building a newsroom that reflects and serves San Diego’s diverse communities. If you haven’t donated yet, now’s the time — we can’t do this without you.
Other news
Local investigative reporting newsroom inewsource was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist this week for its illustrated reporting on the fentanyl crisis. Led by two-time Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist Steve Breen, the animated, graphic novel-style project shows how fentanyl deaths in the United States skyrocketed in the decade between 2013 and 2023 and the impact the crisis has had on San Diego.
Non-tenured faculty at the University of San Diego started a two-day strike on Wednesday, the Union-Tribune reported. Faculty at the private Catholic university expressed concerns over union-busting and mass class cancellations.
A Pride Center assistant at Palomar College resigned following what they called moral disagreements and concerns over student safety, The Telescope reported in an investigation published this week. The student-run newsroom also revealed that the Palomar Community College District denied California Public Records Act requests for records submitted by its reporter.
In an internal email, San Diego-based Qualcomm told employees that it would be ending its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives due to regulation changes under the Trump administration, ABC News10 reported.
Upcoming Events
May 10
Food Distribution: We All We Got SD is hosting it’s bimonthly distribution of free grocery boxes at The Brown Building in City Heights. Boxes are available until 12 p.m. or while supplies last, and there is no means testing to receive items. The mutual aid group — which hosts food distribution on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month — will also have diapers, pet food and hygiene products while supplies last. 4133 Poplar St., San Diego, CA, 92105
Balboa Park Powwow: The San Diego American Indian Health Center is hosting its 37th annual powwow in Balboa Park this Saturday and Sunday. The event showcases Indigenous cultural traditions, like dancing, arts and crafts, drumming, bird singing and food vendors. The event is free to attend. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Park Boulevard and President’s Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Monument Unveiling for William Heath Davis Jr.: The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation and the Kanaka Davis Trust Group will unveil a monument dedicated to William Heath Davis, Jr. Known as “Kanaka Bill,” Davis was a Native Hawaiian trader who helped establish “New Town,” which is now downtown San Diego.
The event will include informational booths and a blessing from Kumeyaay bird singers. 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 500 West G Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Soulcraft Saturday: The Block Club is hosting an arts and craft night in its space on Imperial Avenue. The event is free to attend if you have your own craft project and supplies you’ll be bringing with you, or $12 to participate in the group session with provided materials. Tickets can be reserved online. 5-7 p.m., 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
The 77th Commemoration of Al Nakba: KARAMA is hosting a dinner at the Recital Hall in Balboa Park to commemorate the Nakba, when Israeli settlers expelled more than 700,000 Palestinians from their lands in 1948. The dinner will have speakers, videos and dabke dance performances. Tickets can be purchased online. 5:15 p.m. 2130 Pan American Rd. East, San Diego, CA 92101
May 11
Writers Workshop: So Say We All is hosting a writing workshop at Thorn Brewing focused on ways to convert a story into a script and prepare it for a stage performance. Tickets can be reserved online and are $45 general admission, or free for supporting members. 3176 Thorn St, San Diego, CA 92104
Got an upcoming event that you’d like to add to our calendar? Head over to our website to send us the deets.
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