Roberta Labastida was born and raised in San Diego and is a graduate of San Diego State University. Roberta taught elementary school for over twenty years and during that time co-authored two curriculums on the local Kumeyaay Indians, and wrote and illustrated three children's books the Kumeyaay. Since she has retired she has dedicated herself to sharing her Kumeyaay knowledge and artifact collection with libraries, schools, and parks, as well as to being a volunteer archaeologist. She has also been art consultant and volunteer art teacher at schools in the Mountain Empire School District, El Cajon Boys and Girls Club and Potrero Library.