The Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians has sued the Bureau of Indian Affairs in hopes of settling a land dispute with the Santa Ysabel Band of Diegueño Indians.

The Mesa Grande Band says two tracts of land belong to the tribe. But the BIA says the land is part of the Santa Ysabel Reservation.

The dispute stretches back to 1893 but some tribal members say it was never an issue due to intermarriage and the close relationship between the two tribes. A number of Mesa Grande members live on the Santa Ysabel tracts.

But as the Mesa Grande Band seeks to improve infrastructure on the land, tribal leaders say they have run into opposition from Santa Ysabel. The BIA, however, says it is too late to challenge the status of the land and note that the Santa Ysabel has not agreed to be a part of the lawsuit.

Get the Story:
Mesa Grande suing nearby Indian band (The San Diego Union Tribune 4/30)