Editorial: Protect sacred Calif. site

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2002

The Los Angeles Times in an editorial today calls for protection -- and compromise -- on a proposed school development affecting an Indian burial ground.

A Catholic high school wants to build athletic buildings and playing fields on a site where Juaneno ancestors are buried. There are as many as 175 graves on 29 acres that used to be part of Catholic mission.

Some members of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians oppose the development but one faction does. The paper says Junipero Serra High officials are wrongly ignoring the opponents because all are state recognized.

A compromise would protect 5 acres of the site. "But JSerra's actions have prompted mistrust," the paper writes.

Get the Story:
Editorial: New Church-Indian Divide (The Los Angeles Times 11/27)
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Relevant Links:
Juaneno Band of Mission Indians - http://www.juaneno.com
Mission San Juan Capistrano, Official site - http://www.missionsjc.com
San Juan Capistrano History - http://www.sanjuancapistrano.com/pages/page01.asp?Page=History

Related Stories:
Factions of tribe divided on land use (11/18)
Calif. tribe split on burial site (09/16)