Protect Sogorea Te

Over 300 people attended today’s Indigenous Peoples Earth Day celebration, in support of the ongoing struggle to protect the Glen Cove sacred burial ground from desecration. Many races and creeds were represented in the attendees, who included Alcatraz Occupation veterans. Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis received a guided tour of the land. News media on the scene were KPFA, KCBS, KPIX, KTVU, Indybay, and the DC Radio Coop.

Speakers included Jimbo Simmons (Choctaw), Fred Short (Ojibwa), Mark Anquoe (Kiowa), Bradley Angel of Greenaction, and a Seneca man who spoke about the Great Law of Peace. Songs and dances were offered by Pomo, Rumsien Ohlone, Miwok, and Aztec people.

It was a beautiful day. We are inspired and encouraged that even with short notice and minimal outreach, so many came from near and far in support of this work of honoring and protecting our indigenous ancestors. We send a heartfelt Thank You to everyone who was present, in body or in spirit.

In other updates, Morning Star Gali met with traditional Patwin Tribe elders on April 22nd and received their blessings and support for our work of protecting Sogorea Te. Indigenous representatives from the Committee to Protect Sogorea Te are in the process of meeting with elders and tribal councilmembers of the other tribes/nations who have ancestral ties to Glen Cove.

The neighbor we mentioned in yesterday’s update, who had approached the police to complain about our spiritual encampment, has since been standing beside us in a respectful way.

Requested support:

• Photos, video and audio from Saturday’s Earth Day gathering – please email footage to protectglencove [at] gmail.com
• Transcriptions based on audio and video recordings of speakers at Saturday’s gathering.
• Letters/statements of support from neighbors, organizations, and political leaders.
• Spanish language translation of the “About Glen Cove” page, and any other parts of this website
• Firewood and food for the spiritual encampment
• Your presence and your prayers at the spiritual encampment. All who come respectfully and prayerfully are welcome to join us at Glen Cove anytime.

Latest articles/ media:
Times-Herald, 4/24: Earth Day celebration centered around tribal land dispute
Times-Herald Op-Ed 4/24: The bottom line on Glen Cove
This site, 4/22: Another message from Seneca Wisdomkeeper, Edna Gordon, 90 years old
Indian Country Today, 4/23: Natives Occupy California Burial Ground to Stave Off Bulldozers
KTVU, 4/24: Federal Mediator Stepping Into Burial Site Dispute
Protect Glen Cove Committee 4/23: Response to Janet Roberson’s 4/21 Times-Herald editorial

On behalf of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs; we send our prayers and heartfelt feelings of support and solidarity.

In the spirit of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and all the sacred treaties, we commend you for your courageous stand.

May the Great Spirit watch over you and keep you safe.

– Grand Chief Stewart Phillip (Okanagan)
President, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, Canada.

The promised negotiations between tribal members and the Greater Vallejo Recreation District have not taken place as GVRD continues to stonewall by not committing to participate in negotiations with tribal members engaged in the ongoing spiritual gathering at Glen Cove. Despite the efforts of the U.S. Department of Justice and State Senator Noreen Evans to encourage a mutually-acceptable resolution of this dispute, GVRD still has not agreed to a new round of discussions. In a further act of bad faith, GVRD sent utility workers to begin marking the area.

Tribal members including spiritual leaders continue to seek a new meeting with GVRD to try to resolve the plans of GVRD to use bulldozers to grade a hill that is likely to contain human remains and to build toilets and a parking lot on the burial site.

Latest articles/ media:
Times-Herald editorial 4/22/11: Sacred Ground for a Reason – by Sheri R. Watson
SF Chronicle editorial: Toilets on an Ohlone site? Disrespectful – by Carol Ann Amour
Times-Herald: Protesters call for an interfaith gathering at sacred site in Vallejo (note: we aren’t protestors and things aren’t “cooling off”)
Sacred Sites International: Glen Cove Shellmound-Burial Site Threatened

This morning, a ceremony was held to honor Connie Short, who came off a four day prayer fast at 10am. Her prayers were for the protection of the ancestors, the well-being of the protectors, and a peaceful and favorable end to this crisis.

After the ceremony, Steve Pressley of GVRD pulled up, followed shortly after by four Vallejo Police cruisers. The police took a look around and spoke with Protect Glen Cove Committee members. During this conversation, multiple residents from the adjacent neighborhood came over to express their support of our efforts to the officers. One woman, also a resident, rudely interrupted the conversation, making false accusations that Vigil participants are consuming alcohol and screaming/shouting past 11pm every night. (As hundreds of witnesses can attest, there has been absolutely no consumption of alcohol in the encampment, and there is a strict policy of no drugs, no alcohol, no weapons.)

Also this morning, Vallejo Sanitation, Water, and PG&E workers came to the site to do surveying and marking, under direction of GVRD. They spraypainted lines and markers on the asphalt. – “USA” was sprayed in a few places, which stands for “Underground Service Alert”, indicating that excavation is being planned. All of this suggests that GVRD is still actively pressing forward with their development plans.

These events have highlighted the need for more legal observation/ documentation – so we ask our supporters to keep this in mind, and bring video or audio recorders if you have them.

In Wounded Knee’s words, “Don’t let them intimidate you. Keep your prayer strong.”

A few photos from today are posted here.

The sun was shining bright today. Many visited the spiritual encampment at Glen Cove, including Tristan Anderson, dedicated Bay Area activist who was shot in the head with a teargas canister by the Israeli military two years ago while doing solidarity work in occupied Palestine. In the evening, some Watsonville Brown Berets arrived, and a group of local native people joined the fire circle, singing traditional songs for hours with their clappers.

Our warmest thanks go out to everyone who has been so supportive in this past week. We thank those who have come from far away to stand with us, and also extend a special appreciation to all the people in the neighborhood and local community who have extended kindness and support, bringing us food, encouragement and good humor.

Legal updates will be posted in the near future – we’ve been hard at work, but for the moment, not much has changed: no formal agreement has yet been reached with GVRD, and Sogorea Te remains under threat. We are standing our ground, holding ceremonies, growing in numbers, and looking forward to tomorrow with prayer and commitment.

A new informational leaflet was produced and printed today, based on material from this website. It is available here, if you’d like to print it out.

Tribal members at the ongoing Spiritual Encampment and Vigil at the sacred burial site at Glen Cove in Vallejo will hold an Indigenous Peoples Earth Day and Interfaith Gathering this Saturday, April 23, 2011 from 1pm to 5pm. We are inviting the general public to come to Glen Cove for this gathering that will bring together people from many faiths, cultures and religions in support of the struggle to protect Glen Cove from desecration.

In addition to the gathering on Saturday, please come to Glen Cove whenever you can be there to help protect the site. We need people there all the time to keep the encampment going strong!

Sixty tribal members and supporters participated in all-night ceremonies again last night.
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Photos from Day 7 have been posted here.

The spiritual encampment is holding strong. Many California Native brothers and sisters joined us last night from the Central Valley with their songs and medicine, and have vowed to remain. Many prayers and good words were spoken today.

In the evening, a presentation and discussion was held, focused around the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Representatives from the International Indian Treaty Council explained the value of taking a rights-based approach to protecting sacred lands and asserting indigenous sovereignty.

Latest articles/media:
KPFA: Bay Native Circle, April 20th – Protecting Glen Cove – interviews hosted by Morning Star Gali
Hwaairfan’s Blog: To Stand With Pride and Compassion
SJ Mercury News: Federal mediator steps into fight over Bay Area burial site
The Guardian (UK): Saving North America’s sacred sites – the article features Sogorea Te.

Healing arts practitioners: There is a request from some of the Elders for massage. They are making sacrifices by standing with us day and night to guide us, despite difficult health conditions – it is our responsibility to care for them well. Please visit the encampment if you can offer assistance.

[Also see photos from today.]

As the spiritual gathering being held by local tribal members and supporters at the sacred burial site at Glen Cove in Vallejo entered its sixth day, State Senator Noreen Evans and her staff toured the site and met with leaders of the spiritual vigil. Senator Evans pledged to work with all parties to achieve a just resolution of the ongoing dispute.

Also today, a traditional ceremonial tipi was erected by tribal members next to the sacred fire. The tipi is part of the ongoing spiritual gathering being conducted to protect the burials and culturally significant site from desecration by the development and bulldozing planned by the Greater Vallejo Recreation District.

Over 60 people were at Glen Cove this afternoon, participating in the spiritual gathering and singing traditional and ceremonial songs. Hundreds more have pledged to respond if necessary to stop desecration of the site.
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More than 150 people responded to the emergency call for support Monday night – Thank You!

GVRD’s plans to desecrate the sacred burial site have not been called off and we ask all our supporters to please remain on alert. We continue to invite all who will join us in prayer to stand with us at Glen Cove as we continue to work on all levels to protect the ancestors from further desecration.

Current requests from the group:
Wood for the sacred fire
Fresh vegetables
Donations to cover sanitation costs

Latest news/video:
KTVU video: Native Americans Continue Protest Over Park Plan – also, there’s a related article.
NBC Bay Area: Sacred Land or Parking Lot?
Vallejo Times-Herald: No arrests in dispute over Glen Cove burial site
CBS SF, Channel 5: Native Americans Protesting In Vallejo Park Stay Put (+video)
CNN iReport: Bankrupt California City has found money to Desecrate Native American Burial Grounds
KQED: Both Sides State Their Case in Dispute Between Vallejo and Native Americans (Audio)
Examiner.com: Native Americans ordered end Glen Cove occupation, call for support
Video from 4/15 by Vallejo Independent Bulletin: Native American Action at Glen Cove

• Native Americans Continue Spiritual Ceremonies and Occupation of Burial Site
• Dozens of local residents visit and express support for protecting the sacred land
• GVRD’s Public Relations Fails to Mention Plans to Bulldoze Hill That Likely Contains Human Remains
• Participants Conduct Glen Cove Beach Cleanup & Remove Graffiti on Abandoned Mansion

Vallejo, California – The occupation of the ancient burial site at Glen Cove in Vallejo by Native Americans and supporters entered its fifth day on Monday, April 18, 2011 as dozens remain at the site to guard it against desecration by bulldozers.

On Sunday, Native Americans and their supporters conducted a cleanup of the beach at Glen Cove, and also painted over Nazi graffiti that the City had allowed to remain on the old Mansion at the site. Dozens of local residents visited the occupation over the weekend and expressed their support for protecting the burial site. Many expressed outrage that the City was wasting money fighting the Native Americans over this site when other City parks are dilapidated due to budget problems. Supporters brought food and supplies.
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Native Americans and supporters have successfully occupied the ancient burial site at Glen Cove, Vallejo, preventing the Greater Vallejo Recreation District from beginning work that would desecrate the sacred site. Beginning with an early morning spiritual ceremony attended by over 100 people, protesters vowed to block bulldozers and prevent any work that would desecrate the site from taking place. The occupation will continue until there is an agreement to protect the burial site. Dozens will camp at the site tonight.

At 11:30 am today the protesters held a peaceful rally and ceremony at Vallejo City Hall and then marched to the offices of the Greater Vallejo Recreation District.

Last night the United States Department of Justice sent a senior conciliation specialist to Glen Cove to meet with Native American leaders. The Native Americans asked the DOJ to help facilitate a meeting with the GVRD to try to reach an agreement to protect the sacred burial site. It is possible a meeting between the sides, mediated by the US Department of Justice, may occur Monday. The State Attorney General’s office has also become involved after the organization SSP&RIT filed an administrative civil rights complaint against the City and GVRD on Wednesday.
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• KTVU: Protesters Continue To Try To Block Development On Historic Grave Site (video)
• KTVU: Dozens Protest Development Of Park On Indian Burial Site (video)
• ABC7 KGO TV: Native American activists occupy burial grounds
• Times-Herald: Native Americans, supporters gather to protect sacred site from development as Vallejo park
• K-CBS Channel 5: Native American Activists Occupy Contested Vallejo Park Site
• KQED: Indian Protesters Occupy Vallejo Burial Site
• Times-Herald Op-ed: Peaceful Place
• NBC Bay Area: link coming soon
• SF Bay View: Indigenous and community resisters halt the theft of sacred ancestral land
  

This list will be updated as more news stories/video clips become available.

SF Chronicle: Ohlones file complaint about plan for burial site
K-CBS Channel 5: Vallejo Construction Project Sparks Protest Over Burial Grounds
Times-Herald: Native Americans file a civil rights complaint against Vallejo, GRVD
The Reporter (Vacaville): Native Americans file complaint against Vallejo
Mercury News: Native Americans file civil-rights complaint against Vallejo
Mercury News: Tribe pleads for halt to burial site bathrooms
KHSL TV: Tribe pleads for halt to burial site bathrooms
Monterey Herald: Tribe pleads for halt to burial site bathrooms
KMPH Fox 26: Tribe pleads for halt to burial site bathrooms
San Diego Union Tribune: Tribe pleads for halt to burial site bathrooms

Excerpt from Vallejo-Times Herald story:

Work on the site “could start as early as Friday,” Angel said, though Pressley said it won’t, since special training is still needed for the contractors but will start within the month.

Protesters “don’t trust” GVRD officials, Angel said, and are “watching Glen Cove at all times,” in case work starts without warning. And unless some agreement is reached, the protesters will be there when it does. A gathering is planned Friday morning in any case, he said.

“People are coming from all over to Glen Cove in a spiritual way to stand with us in a peaceful manner,” said Corrina Gould, an Ohlone who said she has “direct lineage” to the area’s indigenous tribes. “Our ancient cemeteries aren’t protected like modern ones are, and today we make a stand and say, ‘No more! Our ancestors won’t be pulled up. Our ancestors won’t have a bathroom or a parking lot built over them!’ “

Civil Rights Complaint alleges that GVRD & the City of Vallejo are violating civil rights of Native Americans by moving forward with plans that would desecrate the ancient Glen Cove burial site.

Delivered Wednesday, April 13th at 12 noon, in front of Vallejo City Hall.

Vallejo, CA – Faced with the possible imminent arrival of bulldozers at the Glen Cove ancient burial site, Native Americans will file an administrative civil rights complaint on April 13, 2011 with the State of California against the Greater Vallejo Recreation District and the City of Vallejo. A press conference will be held in front of Vallejo City Hall, 555 Santa Clara Street, on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at noon.

Sacred Site Protection and Rights of Indigenous Tribes (SSP&RIT) is filing the complaint under California Government Code § 11135 alleging that the City and GVRD are discriminating on the basis of race in threatening to destroy and desecrate significant parts of the Glen Cove Shellmound and burial site, for harming Native Americans’ religious and spiritual well-being, and effectively excluding Native Americans from their right to full participation in the decision-making regarding this project.
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We are calling for an ASSEMBLY of all Warriors to gather at 5:00pm on April 14, 2011 at Glen Cove. Please arrive by 7:00pm at the latest. There will be a prayer ceremony to honor the ancestors the following morning (Friday 15th) at 8:00am.

The Protect Glen Cove Committee and the Board of Directors of Sacred Sites Protection and Rights of Indigenous Tribes (SSP&RIT) have received information that leads us to believe that the desecration of Glen Cove could begin as soon as April 15, 2011.

SSP&RIT will host a prayer ceremony on site. Be prepared to actively protest this assault at Glen Cove. Cameras and video cameras are a must, if you have them. Walkie-talkies are needed for communications. Bring you cell phone chargers.

Bring you sacred medicine and join our prayer circle at Glen Cove. If you can’t make the trip, please make a phone call and keep the phone lines of GVRD and the City of Vallejo busy. (see numbers here)

ALL WARRIORS WHO WILL ANSWER THIS CALL: This is a NON-VIOLENT and PEACEFUL protest. NO WEAPONS, NO DRUGS, NO ALCOHOL!

Reminder: All frontline supporters who have not registered are urged to send their e-mail and cell phone # to: secretary.ssp_rit [at] yahoo.com