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

by Native News Network staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

LOS ANGELES - Last Thursday, the National Park Service sent a letter to Los Angeles County officials informing the county, it must settle the issue of unearthed American Indian remains during the construction of a newly constructed Los Angles museum before it will release grant funds earmarked for the LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum. The amount on hold is $104,000.

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum, a Mexican-American cultural museum, is due to open on April 16. It is unclear if the $104,000 of the total $24 million restoration project will delay the opening.

Site of 118 Sets of Indian Remains - Google Earth

The National Park Service became concerned this past October when 118 sets of human remains were unearthed during the construction of the garden for the museum. Tribal officials were able to determine the remains were Indian remains through burial records. The verification of the burial records was conducted in January.

The unearthed Indian remains belonged to Gabrielino-Togva Indians and other tribes. Gabrielino-Togva Indians occupied the modern-day Los Angeles basin and off-shore islands, including the Catalina, Santa Barbara and San Clements islands.

Today the Gabrielino-Togva Tribe of Santa Gabriel is a state-recognized tribe, which is seeking federal recognition. It has just over 300 enrolled tribal members.

Tribal officials will work with Los Angeles County officials and officials of the LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum for a resolution.

LA Plaza President Miguel Angel Corzo in a statement issued on Friday indicated his organization is working with the California Native American Heritage Commission to address Indian concerns.

Sadden by the Acts of Disrespect  Not rated yet
I am very much sadden by the acts of disrespect for my ancestors buried at Campo Santo near La Placita. It shows that the Native American will never be...