Gabrieleño Band to Protest Museum Over Mishandling of Ancestral Remains
As Long As It Takes in LA

by Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Challenges. Discussion »

LOS ANGELES - Enduring a 91-degree day Saturday, the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians protested outside the LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum in downtown Los Angeles. It was the second Saturday in a row the Tribe has protested outside of the museum.

Downtown LA

The Tribe is upset with the mishandling of the 118 sets of human remains that were unearthed last October during the construction of a garden area of the newly opened LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum. The majority of the remains were determined to be ancestral remains of the Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians in January.

The Tribe is particularly disturbed by how the matter has been mishandled by Gloria Molina, Los Angeles County supervisor, who was a leading force in the establishment of the LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum. Tribal leaders allege she has been more concerned with the construction of the museum being completed on time, than she has been with how the unearthed remains were handled.

Related Stories

Freedom to Protest Blocked by LA Police - American Indian Protesters Moved from Site

Unite to Stop the Desecration of Our Ancestors

Bring Restoration to the Desecrated Graves: The Los Angeles Case That Must Not Be Ignored!

Emotions Are Heated in LA by Mishandling of Indian Remains:

National Park Service Holds Up Funding Until Los Angeles County Officials Settle Indian Remains Issue

The protester’s signs were directed at Molina.

The Tribe’s ancestral remains are currently housed in bags and buckets at Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History.

The Tribe as outlined resolution as follows:

the remains reinterred with dignity;

the Tribe wants to select the archaeologist to oversee the reburial;

a prayer panel with the names of the dead on the site; and

an apology from Supervisor Molina, who is up for reelection next year.

Chief Ernest Salas(left) Greets Protesters Saturday

“The Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians committed to protest every special event held by Molina until they get the resolution they want,” said Tim “Poyorena” Miguel, tribal spokesperson said Sunday evening.

“Even though it was hot out there, it did not stop us,”

continued Poyorena. “It appears we are at a stalemate, but we are staying strong. We have been joined by other groups. Last week a group from a San Diego tribe came to support us.”