This play is rooted in elder wisdom, creation story, and cultural continuity, "Shuuluk Wechuwvi – Where Lightning Was Born," presented by the Eyaay Ahuun Foundation, emerges as a radiant act of resistance and remembrance. This project -- part of the Kumeyaay Native Arts Pathway Program (KNAPP) -- Tijuana River Valley revitalization effort—confronts the decades-long degradation of a region strained by environmental injustice, economic disinvestment, and fractured planning. The area continues to suffer from rampant pollution and an unresolved sewage crisis—a crisis exacerbated by cross-border eco-mismanagement and inadequate infrastructure. Despite ongoing negotiations, binational planning often offers patchwork remedies to what is, at its core, a profound public health and ecological emergency. "Shuuluk Wechuwvi" responds to this crisis not with despair, but with story. Through the mediums of live performance and visual narrative, this play and comic seek to illuminate pathways toward collective healing and ecological repair. It is a love letter to the land and the people who refuse to let it be forgotten—calling forth a shared vision that is grounded in culture, responsive to community, and brave enough to demand more than short-term solutions. This is not just art—it is a call to action, a reclamation of narrative, and a step toward a truly binational, community-rooted future. The Play: "Shuuluk Wechuwvi: Where Lightning Was Born" A disillusioned teen and passionate gamer named Lucky is guided by his uncle, a scientist, and Water on a transformative journey that explores his Kumeyaay heritage and his potential as an environmental activist. Initially resistant—more comfortable in virtual worlds than the real one—Lucky is pulled away from his screen and into the story of the Tijuana River Estuary and the deep Kumeyaay connections to the land. Water leads him through ancestral memory and environmental futures, both hopeful and grim. As he begins to see the parallels between his gaming instincts and real-world action, Lucky embraces his true name, Shuuluk, meaning “Lightning,” and realizes that his voice holds power. Inspired by his people, new friendships, and the natural world, Lucky commits to using that power to protect the land and share the stories that have always lived within him. The play is produced by Teatro Las Hermanas, a collective of teatristas co-founded by sisters Mabelle and Zulema Reynoso and Tori Rice, committed to showcasing stories of the borderlands, while also serving as a platform for advocacy, empowerment, and cultural celebration. "Shuuluk Wechuwvi: Where Lightning Was Born" was written by award-winning playwright Mabelle Reynoso and will be directed by Tori Rice. Production art and the accompanying comic book illustration will be done by Zulema Reynoso. The cast is: Ivan Quezada - Kumeyaay (Lucky), Bobby Wallace - Kumeyaay (Uncle Ed), Vanessa Lopez (Mom; Patty), Nancy Batres (Daisy; Water). Executive production is co-produced and presented by Kumeyaay stewards and cultural practicioners! Eyaay Ahunn Foundation on Facebook / Instagram
