Tipey Joa Native Warriors offers sustained, intergenerational arts and cultural programming that supports the creative and cultural survival of Indigenous communities along the California and Baja California border. We focus on the transmission of traditional knowledge and arts—such as basket weaving, storytelling, song, dance, and plant-based practices—as essential forms of cultural continuance. These practices are not only artistic expressions, but vital ways of sustaining language, kinship, and land-based knowledge in the face of ongoing disruption.
Tipey Joa Native Warriors is a grassroots, binational nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, cultural preservation, and social justice within Indigenous communities, particularly among Yuman groups such as the Kumeyaay. Operating across the U.S.-Mexico border, the organization addresses systemic inequalities by providing essential resources and services to underserved tribal communities in Baja California and Southern California. Key programs include:
Youth Empowerment and Education: We organize culturally rooted events like the Summer Matayuum and Indigenous youth camps, offering activities such as traditional games, basket weaving, and environmental education to foster cultural pride and leadership among Indigenous youth.
Cultural Preservation: The organization actively promotes Indigenous languages and traditions through community gatherings and educational initiatives, ensuring the transmission of cultural knowledge to future generations.
Health and Wellness Initiatives: By collaborating with partners like the Climate Science Alliance, our organization integrates environmental stewardship with health education, addressing issues such as climate resilience and sustainable living practices within Indigenous communities.
Community Support Services: Recognizing the lack of economic infrastructure and access to basic services in many tribal areas, we provide year-round support, including resource distribution and advocacy, to improve living conditions and promote equity.
Through these programs, we empower Indigenous communities by honoring their heritage, addressing contemporary challenges, and fostering cross-border collaborations for a more equitable future.

