Ricardo “El Tigre” Peña, one of the Mission District’s most beloved elders and cultural leaders, passed away late Sunday night. Peña leaves a profound legacy in the Bay Area. He worked with youth as a teaching artist at Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, led Danza Azteca performances alongside his wife, Connie, and helped run Mixcoatl, the family’s vibrant 24th Street storefront known for its Indigenous handcrafts.
Peña’s unwavering commitment to preserving Indigenous traditions made him a guardian of memory for the community. The sound of his drums will continue to echo throughout the halls and streets of the Mission, carrying his spirit forward. Peña leaves behind a family and a community who loved him deeply.
As we honor his life, El Tecolote is creating space for community voices. We invite you to share an anecdote, memory or photograph of Ricardo that you are willing to share with us. Selected submissions will be published in the Jan. 8 print edition of El Tecolote, our first issue of the new year. Thank you for helping us preserve his legacy.