IVC celebrated Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Day on April 3 with a campuswide gathering focused on elevating Indigenous voices and honoring the ancestral lands the college occupies. Tribal members from the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation, Belardes Band, and the Gabrielino-Shoshone Nation of Southern California shared their stories, perspectives, and cultural knowledge.
Attendees also participated in two hands-on activities that honored Indigenous knowledge and storytelling: a BEES Garden tour focused on native plant language, ecology, and cultural significance, and a beading activity where participants created a lizard while learning about the importance of native story telling.
Through these conversations and activities, attendees gained a deeper understanding of Indigenous history, lived experiences, and the importance of building respectful relationships with Native communities.