- The Reservation Next Door
- Trouble in Tovaangar
- Too High a Cost, Perhaps Too Bright a Spotlight
- Reading Between the Battle Lines of Land Acknowledgements
- Amid Threats, Kizh Conservancy Selected to Protect Ancient Jurupa Oak
- Native Sons of the Golden West and Multiple San Gabriel Valley Cities Honor Late Tribal Leader
- Tribal Elder Genevieve Swindall Dead at 80
Indigenous advocate and keeper of ancestral stories Genevieve (“Aunt Jenny”) Swindall died of natural causes on January 2nd. Swindall, a resident of Covina, was 80.
Youngest sister of Chief Ernie Salas of the Gabrielino Band of Mission Indians – Kizh Nation, Swindall permanently lost eyesight at age 14 due to progressive retinopathy developed after being given 100 percent oxygen at birth. Her daughter, Dr. Christina Swindall Martinez, said her mother never let disability stop her.
“Growing up I kept hearing people say ‘Are you sure she is blind?'” said Martinez.
Throughout her life, Martinez said Swindall was active in tribal matters and advocated for legislation related to the blind and indigenous communities. “She also carried a lot of knowledge about the trials and tribulations of our tribe,” said Martinez. “Mom kept a very positive view and loved engaging with younger generations.”
Kizh Nation Chief Andrew Salas said his Aunt Jenny, “was a cherished keeper of our tribe’s oral history and ancestral stories. Her deep knowledge of our past and her ability to recount the history of our ancestors will be profoundly missed. She served as a vital link between generations, ensuring that our traditions, struggles and triumphs were passed down with authenticity and reverence.”
During the early 1960’s, Swindall traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with President John F. Kennedy as an advocate for the blind and the tribe. “Her dedication to representing both our tribe and the blind community exemplified her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others,” said Salas.
Swindall was born in San Gabriel and attended Pasadena City College. She is survived by three daughters and two grandsons.
On January 29th at 10 am, a church service will be held for Swindall at historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Covina, followed by grave-site services at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary in Whittier at 1 pm. A reception at the Covina Woman’s Club is also scheduled at 3 pm that day.