Oscar Muñoz

Oscar Muñoz, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at San Diego State University. A first-generation immigrant from Costa Rica, he specializes in Native public history and cultural preservation. His work bridges Indigenous cultural practices and historical narratives in Southern California.

Education:

• M.S. in Public History (focus on Native public history)
• Ph.D. from University of California, Riverside

Research: Dr. Muñoz’s current project, “Haní’-cha Fiesta-yk: ‘Let's go to the fiesta’”, examines the historical and cultural significance of Southern California Native fiestas. This manuscript traces these events from Indigenous creation narratives through Spanish colonial and Euro-American periods, offering a new lens for understanding Indigenous history and regional identity.

Experience: For a decade, he served as Cultural Archives Specialist for the Pechanga Band of Payómkawichum Indians, aiding in preserving their cultural heritage. This work informs his research on Indigenous material culture and community-driven archival practices.

Focus: His scholarship emphasizes under-researched Indigenous traditions, challenging Eurocentric historical frameworks to center Native perspectives in Southern California’s narrative.