Unnamed beach at Spanish Landing Park named Kumeyaay Beach

Port of San Diego commissioners used a new policy for naming and renaming locations to recognize the Kumeyaay people's historic ties to San Diego Bay. On July 14, commissioners approved naming an unnamed beach at Spanish Landing Park, located along Harbor Drive, Kumeyaay Beach.The move marks the first public space on the bay to acknowledge "the region's first people" and "celebrate their lasting legacy," Port Vice Chair Michael Zucchet said in a statement. Indigenous leaders and advocates requested the naming under the new policy and are slated to work with the Port to develop on-site signage at the beach, according to the Port.In January, the city of Chula Vista also commemorated the Kumeyaay people. Mayor John McCann presented a proclamation recognizing the second Sunday in November as Kumeyaay People's Day in San Diego County's second-largest city.Kumeyaay leader Bobby Wallace has helped move these commemorations forward. He joined Midday Edition on Tuesday to share his thoughts on the significance of the beach naming.Guest: Bobby Wallace, Barona Band of Mission Indians