The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation’s billboard off the 10 Freeway near the San Bernardino County/Riverside County divide between Yucaipa and Calimesa was vandalized in the hours after sunset on Thanksgiving Eve.
The precise intention of those who defaced the billboard was unclear. The billboard owned by the Yuchaaviatam, originally displayed an advertisement which promoted the Yuhaaviatam with the depiction of three female tribe members, the tribe’s logo, the name of the website ANameHasPower.com and the word Yuhaaviatam in all capital letters across the approximately 26 feet of the 30 foot width of the 10-foot-by-30-foot billboard. Following the vandalism, the ad was partially obscured by a ten-foot by 5.26-foot wide American flag which was fastened near the top of the sign and which draped down to parapet at the bottom of the billboard. To the left of the flag what, appeared to be precisely drawn or stenciled yellow capital letters nearly two-feet tall stated, “America is not on stolen land Your Ancestors were conquered.” Beneath that in smaller yellow capital letters – roughly ten inches to one foot in height – which appeared to be drafted with less precision and without the aid of a stencil was the phrase “Happy Thanksgiving.”
The portion of the original advertisement left visible consisted of the tribe member furthest to the right, most of the final syllable, tam, in Yuhaaviatam, and the tribe’s logo.
The Sentinel, on Thanksgiving, was unable to reach a representative of the tribe for comment.
The Beaumont-based chapter of Patch.com, a local news and information platform, did have contact with the tribe and obtained a statement. According to Patch.com, the tribe’s statement read, “Since time immemorial, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and other clans of Serrano Indians have called the sacred lands of Southern California home. We have endeavored to exist peacefully and cooperatively even while a young and growing country expanded westward. We believed then as we do now that we all have a right to exist with and through our unique cultures endowed by the Creator.”
According to Patch.com, the tribe said the vandalism was “deeply disappointing,” in that it contained “culturally offensive language used by those who choose not to reflect the values shared by most in our large Southern California community.” Patch.com said the The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation further shared the perspective that “Such actions stand in stark contrast to the values of respect and unity that have allowed not only the Yuhaaviatam, but local cities, counties, and communities of Americans, to grow and enjoy the blessings of America. We are happy to engage in discussions about our shared history that has made our region a strong and forward-looking part of California. We invite you to join us as neighbors to strengthen our unity and elevate an expanded awareness of our shared history. This should be our way forward.”
Yucaipa officials said, “The City of Yucaipa strongly condemns the vandalism of the Yuhaaviatam billboard along the I-10 freeway. This is a criminal act, and we are working closely with the Yucaipa Police Department to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”