News From Native California - Spring 2015 Volume 28, Issue 3 | Page 40

with respect
We all knew David as a leader, preservationist, historian, and mentor.
But for me David was my best friend and teacher. We were a team. His
heart spoke volumes, and the world had to listen despite money, power,
and politics deafening their ears. He was a man of ethics with a laugh
that could shake a building. Over the last twenty-six years his teachings
were vast, however two stand out the most. One is accepting that everything comes to an end and dies. Second, and most importantly, solid relationships consist of disagreements, trials, tribulations, and forgiveness. I
would like to thank you, my dear friend, for those valued lessons.
Şú'yuk túupanga, 'ahúutaxnga,

Qéshyuk mómnga pí' poháylonga,
Túupash, 'éxla pí' pomíililayk,
Héetax kwá' 'otóowi 'éshkayik.
'óomax 'óyk, no'ó'nan, 'óomax 'óyk,
Yáamax 'óyk, no'ó'nan, yáamax 'óyk.
To the stars in the sky, in heaven,
To the shells in the sand and on the shore,
To where sky and earth touch,
May rise thus your spirit upwards,
Absence of strife to you, my friend, absence of strife to you,
Enduring to you, my friend, enduring to you. ▼
—Joyce Stanfield Perry
Translations provided by Eric Elliott

JANE THING-DUMAS
June 24, 1924–May 3, 2014

on june 24, 1924, Jane Thing was born under an oak tree in Barrett
Valley in San Diego County. She was the daughter of Ambrosio Thing,
a renowned peon player and culture bearer, and Isabel Cuero Thing, a
midwife and a cha’ak kuseyaay. Jane dedicated her life to educating others
about Kumeyaay culture, plant uses, and language.
Jane Thing-Dumas left us on May 3, 2014. Jane’s spirit was sung on
her journey, but she left her legacy for us to follow. She helped found the
San Diego American Indian Health Center, she was inducted into the
San Diego’s Women’s Hall of Fame, and San Diego proclaimed October 1 Jane Dumas Day. Jane left us her knowledge and traditions of native
plants and her love for her Kumeyaay culture and language, which she
passionately worked to pass on.
Jane Dumas was our teacher, our cha’ak kuseyaay, our bridge. Not only
did Jane teach us how to speak Kumeyaay, she showed us how to think