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Grand Re-Opening of the Native American Resource Center Celebration

Posted on by Gregor, Emelia
  • A large group stands behind a red ribbon labeled "Palomar College Grand Opening" holding large scissors next to a concrete building.
    Ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring (left to right) Steve Crouthamel (Professor Emeritus, American Indian Studies), Emelia "Emy" Gregor, Linda Locklear (Professor Emeritus, American Indian Studies), Soleil Norte (NSPIRE Student), Hunwut Turner, Monica Scott (NSPIRE Student), Trustee Roberto Rodriguez, Jadalyn Pham (NSPIRE Student), VP Nick Mata, Dr. Patacsil (Board Secretary), Dr. Elena Hood (American Indian Studies Faculty), Dean Leslie Salas, and Professor Diana Ortiz (American Indian Studies Faculty)

Grand Re-Opening of the Native American Resource Center Celebration

Thursday, February 20, 2026
11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Native American Resource Center (MD-132)
Palomar College, San Marcos Campus

The NSPIRE Program and Palomar College warmly invites you to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of the Native American Resource Center. This community event honors the growth of the center and the ongoing commitment to supporting Native students through culturally grounded programming, resources, and connection

Learn More About NSPIRE

The NSPIRE Program supports American Indian and Alaska Native students through academic counseling, cultural programming, transfer guidance, transportation assistance, and community engagement.

For more information, visit our NSPIRE homepage.

Save the Date flyer for the Grand Re‑Opening of the Native American Resource Center at Palomar College on February 20, 2026. Includes event check‑in from 10 –11 a.m., program and ribbon cutting at 11 a.m., lunch immediately following, and open house tours from 12:30–1:30 p.m. Flyer includes decorative geometric designs, a QR code to RSVP, and Palomar College branding.
A long rectangular table under a red canopy holding several fruit platters and containers of utensils.
Fresh fruit and veggie platters prepared for guests at the Grand Re-Opening of the Native American Resource Center.
Small groups of people standing and talking near outdoor tables and tents next to a brick building.
Attendees gather outdoors before the ceremony begins.
Several people standing and talking beside tables covered in refreshments outside a building, with event tents nearby.
Guests connect and enjoy refreshments before the program.
Groups of attendees standing near round tables outside, with large white event tents set up along the walkway.
Community members visit with one another before the start of the Grand Re-Opening program.
A person holding a feather walking between rows of seated attendees under a large white tent.
Tribal Elder, Chris Devers (Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians), smudges Tribal Chairman Cope (San Pasqual Band of Kumeyaay Indians) and the audience during the opening portion of the program.
A person holding a feather moving past seated attendees inside a tented event space.
Chris Devers smudges Tribal Chairman Osuna (Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel), as part of the opening program.
A person holding a feather standing beside multiple rows of seated attendees under an outdoor event tent.
Chris Devers smudges NSPIRE students during opening blessing.
A person at a podium holding a feather and sage speaks to attendees under an outdoor tent.
Tribal Elder, Chris Devers (Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians) provides the opening blessing.
A person on stage holding a traditional rattle near a podium at an outdoor event.
Chris Devers presents cultural practices during the opening program.
A person on stage under a tent holding an object and addressing the audience.
Chris Devers sings blessing through traditional bird songs to honor attendees at the Grand Re-Opening of the Native American Resource Center.
Rows of attendees seated under a white tent facing a stage with a podium and speaker.
Attendees gather to hear blessing from Chris Devers.
A person speaking at an outdoor podium under a tent, holding a rattle in one hand.
Chris Devers addresses attendees during the Grand Re-Opening program.
A person at a podium speaking into a microphone under a large outdoor tent.
Vice President of Student Services, Nicholas Mata delivers the college welcome.
A wide shot of attendees seated under a long white tent facing a stage with a speaker at the podium.
A full view of the audience gathered for the Grand Re-Opening ceremony.
A person standing at a podium under an outdoor tent delivering remarks to attendees.
Dean of Student Success, Equity, and Counseling, Dr. Leslie Salas, delivers Palomar College’s land acknowledgment.
A person standing behind a podium under a white tent, with trees and landscape visible behind the stage.
Dean Salas introduces the next speaker as part of the program.
A row of attendees seated under a tent holding tickets and looking toward the stage.
Attendees seated together during the Grand Re-Opening ceremony.
Two people seated among the audience under a large white tent during the ceremony.
Governing Board Members, Trustee Rodriguez and Board Secretary Patacsil attend the Grand Re-Opening.
A person speaking at a podium under an outdoor tent with trees visible beyond the stage.
Alumni Speaker, Hunwut Turner (Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians) shares remarks during the event.
A person wearing a cowboy hat standing near a microphone under an outdoor event tent.
Hunwut Turner speaks from stage during the Grand Re-Opening program.
Attendees seated under outdoor event tent listening to speaker.
Community members listening to alumni speech at Grand Re-Opening.
A person stands at a podium under the event tent, speaking into a microphone with attendees seated in front.
Student Support Program Coordinator, Emelia “Emy” Gregor speaks during the Grand Re-Opening of the Native American Resource Center.
A person standing at a podium addresses attendees seated under the large event tent.
Emy Gregor (Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel, Mohawk Nation of Kahnawake) offers program remarks as part of the program.
Rows of audience members seated under a white tent facing the stage.
Attendees gather under the event tent for the Grand Re-Opening program.
A large group stands behind a red ribbon labeled "Palomar College Grand Opening" holding large scissors next to a concrete building.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring (left to right) Steve Crouthamel (Professor Emeritus, American Indian Studies), Emelia “Emy” Gregor, Linda Locklear (Professor Emeritus, American Indian Studies), Soleil Norte (NSPIRE Student), Hunwut Turner, Monica Scott (NSPIRE Student), Trustee Roberto Rodriguez, Jadalyn Pham (NSPIRE Student), VP Nick Mata, Dr. Patacsil (Board Secretary), Dr. Elena Hood (American Indian Studies Faculty), Dean Leslie Salas, and Professor Diana Ortiz (American Indian Studies Faculty)
A large group of people prepare to cut the ribbon for the opening of a center at an event.
NSPIRE students yield large scissors to commemorate the re-opening of the Center.
A group of people smile as the ribbon is cut to signify the Grand Re-Opening of the Native American Resource Center.
Everyone smiles and cheers as the Native American Resource Center is officially re-opened.
People smile and clap as the ribbon is cut to open the Native Center.
Everyone claps as the ribbon is cut, opening the Native American Resource Center.
A person stands at the podium on stage addressing the audience while several performers stand nearby with rattles.
Blue Eagle Vigil (Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians) leads the closeout bird songs at the Grand Re-Opening.
Five performers stand at the front of the stage holding rattles while facing the audience under the event tent.
Bird signers Nicholas Smith, Jacob Alvarado, Jamie LaBrake, Blue Eagle Vigil, and Dakota Jacome perform the closing songs.
A person stands at a podium wearing traditional regalia while the audience sits facing the stage inside the large event tent.
A view from the stage as guests partake in Bird dancing.
Several performers holding rattles stand on stage under a white tent, while rows of attendees watch from the seating area.
A wide view of the stage and audience during the closing bird songs.
Several performers holding rattles stand on stage under the white event tent as attendees watch.
The bird singers perform closing songs together on stage.
Two attendees shake hands near the seating area under the event tent, one holding a woven bag with colorful patterns.
Community members shake hands with the Bird singers as a sign of respect and appreciation at closeout of program.
Attendees shake hands with performance group near the event tent.
Community members shaking hands with the bird singers.
People greet each other with a hug after bird singer performance.
Attendees thank bird singers for performance.
People form a line to shake hands with group of performers.
Community members line up to shake hands with the bird singers after closing performance.
People gather near a bulletin board filled with flyers and announcements mounted next to the Center entrance door.
Hunwut Turner shares information with Trustee Rodriguez and Dr. Patacsil about the calendar on the bulletin board next to the Native American Resource Center entryway.
Several people stand in front of a bulletin board under a sign that reads "Native American Resource Center."
(Left to right) Hunwut Turner, Dr. Patacsil, Trustee Rodriguez, and Interim President Recalde pose for a photo together outside of the Native American Resource Center.
Several people stand together in front of a concrete building and bulletin board.
(Left to right) Vanessa Vargas (Tribal Councilmember, Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel), Arnold Durbin (Tribal Councilmember, Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel), Kevin Osuna (Tribal Chairman, Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel), Hunwut Turner, Dr. Patacsil, Trustee Rodriguez, Interim President Recalde, Jamie LaChappa (Vice Chairwoman, Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians), and Emy Gregor pose for a photo outside of the Native American Resource Center.
Four people standing inside an office area wearing ribbon skirts, with a desk and cabinets behind them.
NSPIRE students gather for a photo inside Emy’s office in the Resource Center.
A group standing in front of a large red "Grand Re-Opening" banner inside a meeting room.
Tribal community members and campus leadership gather for a photo inside the Resource Center.
Several people standing in the American Indian Studies classroom.
Guests leave the Native American Resource Center after the open house portion of the event.
Several people standing in a room near a wooden table and break area, wearing a variety of coats and carrying red tote bags.
Guests enter the Native American Resource Center during the open house portion of the event.
People inside a classroom standing near a large glass display containing cultural items, with desks visible in the foregrand.
Guests look into the cultural display case during the open house in the American Indian Studies classroom.
A person standing outside looking through a large window at baskets and other items displayed inside.
A community member examines cultural display items through the American Indian Studies classroom window.
A group standing on an outdoor walkway with windows to the Resource Center on one side and plants on the other.
Attendees wait along the walkway outside the Resource Center.
Two people standing outside near a concrete wall, one holding a cup, with natural light coming from the open walkway.
Attendees look at the bulletin board outside the Native American Resource Center.
Two people walking and talking on a sidewalk with plants and rocks lining the pathway.
Guests talk outside near the walkway and landscaped garden area.
A gathering of attendees standing outside of the Resource Center surrounded by greenery.
Attendees share conversation following the Grand Re-Opening ceremony outside of the Center.
People standing together outside a classroom, holding red tote bags, with buildings and other attendees in the background.
Attendees share conversation outside of the American Indian Studies classroom.
Three individuals wearing ribbon skirts seated on a red couch in front of a red and black foil backdrop.
NSPIRE students pose inside the Student Lounge.
A group standing together under a white tent, featuring two people shaking hands with other attendees behind them.
Dr. Patacsil and the Escondido Unified School District administrators introduce themselves to one another.
A group standing beneath an outdoor event tent arranged in a semicircle near the stage area.
Dr. Patacsil and Escondido Unified School District administrators gather for a group photo during lunch.
Three people standing together outdoors near trees and a beige wall.
Guests take a group photo outside during the event.
Two people standing together outdoors near the walkway and event tent.
VP Mata and Michelle Wickman, Division Administrative Assistant for Student Life & Leadership, pose for a photo during lunch.
Two people standing on an outdoor walkway beside a concrete wall. One person holds a cup while chatting with the other person.
Interim President Tina Recalde and Professor Emeritus Linda Locklear meet during the Grand Re-Opening celebration.
Multiple people walking along a concrete pathway lined with large leafy plants, small rocks, and trees.
Guests chat along the outdoor walkway as they make their way to the lunch line.
Two people standing on an outdoor walkway, with one person facing forward with folded arms, and another facing sideways with a backpack.
Guests connect outside near the walkway during the Grand Re-opening of the Native American Resource Center.
Several people standing under a tent holding red reusable bottles.
Palomar College employees pose for a photo following the program.
A person writing on a notepad placed on a black table next to event flyers and informational materials.
A guest signs in at the table during the open house portion of the event.
A small round table covered with patterned cloth holding a desk phone, painted stones, a lamp, a plant, and floral felted coasters.
A decorated coffee table inside the Student Lounge features painted NASA Club rocks and a painting.
Several people standing in a kitchen space near cabinets and a refrigerator with a doorway open to another room.
Guests gather inside the Resource Center’s kitchen area during the event tours.
Several people standing inside a lounge space near a refrigerator and wooden cabinets, with a large table and chairs in the foreground.
Guests explore the Native American Resource Center’s student lounge area during the open house.
Two people standing side-by-side outdoors on artificial turf near a brick building.
Emelia “Emy” Gregor and Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel Tribal Chairman, Kevin Osuna gather for a photo during the event.
A line of people outdoors near a red-covered table holding informational materials and tote bags.
Dr. Patacsil visits the information booth at the Grand RE-Opening celebration.
A large outdoor food table under a red canopy displaying fruit platters, vegetables, and serving utensils.
An assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables arranged at the event buffet.
Several people standing under a red canopy selecting food from chafing dishes arranged on a long table.
Guests serve themselves from the buffet line during the celebration.
People standing in a line beside a red outdoor canopy. An information table covered with promotional materials.
Community members check in and pick up NSPIRE tote bags at the event information table.
A long line of people standing outdoors on a walkway with tents and surrounding greenery.
Guests line up for lunch outside of the MD Building.
A black table with a framed "Save the Date" flyer, bookmark flyers, a handwritten welcome note, and a notepad with a pink pen.
A display table featuring the Save the Date flyer for the Grand Re-Opening of the Native American Resource Center.
The Resource Center entryway with a metal door and a bulletin board filled with a calendar, flyers, and informational materials.
The entrance to the Native American Resource Center featuring a bulletin board with program announcements.
A wall calendar labeled "Halantca February 2026" with handwritten notes for campus activities, closures, and events.
A 2026 Kumeyaay Language calendar, featuring “Halantca” (February) event details posted outside of the Resource Center.
A bulletin board filled with flyers and announcements mounted next to the Native American Resource Center entrance door.
The entrance to the Native American Resource Center with community announcements displayed outside.
Six people standing under a canopy on artificial turf with plants and a wall behind them.
Guests gather for a group photo during the Grand Re-Opening celebration.
Three people standing closely together outdoors in front of a tall leafy shrubs and branches.
Dr. Theresa Gregor and Evin Gregor join Emy Gregor for a family photo during the celebration.
Three people standing at a round table under a tent holding meal trays with assorted foods.
NSPIRE students enjoy their bento box lunches during the Grand Re-Opening.