Keeping the Fire Going

Sogorea Te Sacred Site Protest-Day 27

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

VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA - The occupation of the Sogorea Te sacred burial site, commonly known as Glen Cove, in Vallejo is approaching one month. Protesters showed up on April 13 to stop the bulldozing of the sacred site and have been there ever since.

Vallejo is twenty-five miles north of San Francisco.

Wood for Sacred Fire

American Indians from the San Francisco Bay area oppose the Greater Vallejo Recreation District’s plan to spend $1.5 million on the proposed park that, if constructed, will have 15 parking spaces and two toilets at the Sogorea Te sacred burial site.

To keep an occupation going for this long, involves planning and organization. Supplies are needed, such as fire wood. Organizers depend on donations from those who are supportive of their cause.

“We have people who bring wood to keep the fire going,”

said Norman “Wounded Knee” DeOcampo (Miwok). “We don’t want it with nails in it. This is a sacred fire.”

Besides the people who have occupied Sogorea Te, the fire is the second most important of the occupation, which the organizers call a spiritual encampment.

“The fire is essential. We are required to keep the fire going because we are here protesting the desecration of a sacred site. This is actually a ceremony,” says Wounded Knee.

A family from Black Mesa, Arizona, Diné traditionalists and lifelong advocates for the protection of sacred places, spent the day with us at Sogorea Te. They brought songs, prayers and encouragement for the protesters.

Last evening, Corrina Gould and Wounded Knee spoke at Station 40 in San Francisco this evening to a packed crowd of about 80 people. They were accompanied by a group of singers from the spiritual encampment, who shared the Sogorea Te and AIM honoring songs. Many young people offered various forms of support.