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From our friend Michelle Castillo, who works alongside Rebecca Robles, a highly respected tribal elder. They are land protectors, and they’re asking everyone to write a letter to the Long Beach Press Telegram regarding the importance of the sacred site of Puvungna, which sits on CSULB property and is sacred to the Tongva (or Gabrieleño) people, who once populated what’s now OC & LA. as well as the Acjachemen, who roamed the same area. Puvungna is pronounced with the last “n” silent.
Dear Supporters of Puvungna,
Rebecca Robles defending Puvungna
We are gaining momentum in our efforts to pressure CSU Long Beach to permanently protect Puvungna, the sacred site located on the university’s campus.
The Long Beach Press-Telegram recently ran an article about our efforts, including our lawsuit against the university. The article gives us a time-sensitive opportunity to write letters to the editor of the Press-Telegram and ramp up the pressure on the university to settle the lawsuit.
Can you write a letter to the paper today? It is important that you use your own words while conveying a unified message. Please emphasize one or more of these main points in your letter:
In its June 14 article, the Press-Telegram describes how CSU Long Beach dumped construction debris and trash last fall on Puvungna, the 22-acre parcel of land on the university campus that is the last remaining sacred land of a number of Native American tribal groups in Southern California.
– CSU leaders say they want to end systemic racism in academia. A critical first step toward that goal is to honor indigenous cultures by protecting Puvungna.
– Desecrating Puvungna is a form of cultural genocide to the Native American groups that consider this sacred ground.
– It is impossible to talk about solutions to racism without addressing the desecration of land sacred to Native peoples. Without honoring the original occupants of this land, anything the university says about wanting to end racism is just paying lip service.
– The university’s actions fly in the face of the basic rights of California’s Native people and a recent executive order issued by Governor Gavin Newsom, in which he apologized on behalf of California’s history of “violence, maltreatment and neglect” of Native American peoples and urged the state to take steps to move toward healing and clarifying the historical record.
– For both legal and ethical reasons, it is imperative that CSULB take actions to reverse the damage done to Puvungna and to ensure that the site remains protected and treated with respect in perpetuity.
The technical details: Letters need to be no more than 200 words. Please provide your name, city, and telephone number (phone numbers will not be published). Submit your letter to: speakout@presstelegram.com and please cc : micheg13@gmail.com as well as rebrobles1@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Michelle watching the destruction.
More recent articles:
Dirt Dumped on Puvungna at CSULB Prompts Lawsuit
Puvungna Tribal-Ground Incident Spurs Lawsuit Against CSULB
*About three years ago, we tried to help our local tribe the Juanenos of San Juan Capistrano. We met with them and suggested that they create a Television show, Websites and Information Center for all Native American information. So far, what we have found is that most tribal leaders are very leery of the White man’s Media. This is really too bad. We wanted no money……we only wanted to be helpful in giving them the tools to create true knowledge about Native American issues….including Poverty, Drug and Alcohol problems and getting the Bureau of Land Management to give them the money that they are owed. Getting State Sanctioning as a Legal Tribe in California is not as difficult as getting Federal Sanctioning….because of the malaise of non-performing Tribal Treaties with literally 100’s of tribes and what are left of tribes throughout the United States. For those that are following the Palestinian/Israeli situation….there is a parallel…. Indigenous populations have always been an embarrassment to would be land owners, railroad barons and currently in charge Government Officials. The old story of the corrupt Indian Agents, who were given those jobs because they gave cash or political cover to different administrations of the Federal Government….is still a problem. Our Navajo/Apache brothers in Arizona and New Mexico continue to starve and have to take the White Man’s Welfare….which is never enough. Our local Juaeno’s are fine people, but small…..and seem to only want to find a way to create another Gambling Casino…..as many others have done here in Southern California. Interestingly, the Aborigine of Australia, the Maury’s of New Zealand and minority groups in China, India and across the Globe ….all suffer to one extent or the other. Some only economically some with their lives! As with the Homeless Issue, our efforts to assist these people should be a concern to us all. As we told the LGBTQ folks some years ago…….they need to do something for others…and they will be accepted into society. So far that seems to be working out. Let’s hope our Native Brothers and Sisters find a way to do something for others (which affects all the citizens) and becomes a lightning rod for support by our entire society. For those that have not read Jamers Fenimore Cooper or the History of the Blackhawk Indians – get a copy of
“Thunderheart” with Val Kilmer and get educated to what goes on!
Wow! With friends like you, who needs enemies! No surprise that your Native Brothers and Sisters, along with the LGBTQ folks you advise to do something for others, are leery of you tools.
Our family stand behind your tribe. We will do everything we can to help protect Puvungna. It is with pride and honor to help you help us keep the land safe. AHO
Not all the Juaneno want a casino. There are different factions and some are much against it. Hopefully they can all join together and obtain the recognition they deserve.
The reason the do not want media is because they don’t want to be exposed the fraudulent acts
They are committing Everything from misrepresentation being Native American to not being the ancestral tribal nation to the area. “ yes land grabbers “ wake up smell the coffee it’s true !!!
See http://gabrielenoindians.com/IMPOSTORS.html
Thanks OJ Juice Blog for helping to protect Puvungna. In addition to the illegal dumping, CSULB’s plans to add more parking and multiple buildings have now been exposed and support for preserving this beautiful meadow and ceremonial gathering site is growing.