Two tribes criticize ongoing protest at burial site in California

Thursday, June 23, 2011  

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Cortina Band of Wintun Indians are voicing objections to an ongoing protest at a burial site in northern California.

The tribes wrote a letter to all 109 federally recognized tribes in California to seek support for a compromise at Glen Cove. They say protesters from a group called Sacred Sites Protection and Rights of Indigenous Tribes have "marred" the 3,500-year-old settlement.

"This encampment is against the wishes of the Yocha Dehe and Cortina tribal governments," the two tribes said in the letter, The Vallejo Times-Herald reported.

The group has camped at the site for 70 days. It includes Ohlone, Miwok and other Indian descendants who oppose development there.

However, the Greater Vallejo Recreation District is only working with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Cortina Band. The tribes say their rights are recognized under state law.

Get the Story:
Rival tribe decries Glen Cove protests (The Vallejo Times-Herald 6/23)

Related Stories:
Tribes seek a compromise as protest at burial site continues (6/2)
Occupation against development at burial site continues (5/18)
Letter: Reconsider development plan at sacred burial site (5/16)
Opinion: Fact and fiction in battle over sacred burial site (4/21)
DOJ intervenes in protest for development at sacred site (4/19)
California attorney general pressed to protect sacred site (4/14)