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news
Puvungna continues
to fight for justice
By Kimberly Pasquis
On-line Forty-Niner
A California version
of a federal law is currently awaiting approval by the state
Legislature, which would put stricter sanctions on parties
to return human remains or cultural artifacts to American
Indian tribes.
The California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation
Act of 2001 would require that all state agencies and museums
that have possession or control over collections of human
remains or cultural items provide a process for the identification
and repatriation of these items to the appropriate tribes.
A federal version of this bill exists; however, stricter civil
penalties would be imposed if any organization failed to comply.
This bill would not affect Puvungna, the remaining 22 acres
of sacred land behind Lot 20 beside the Earl Burns Miller
Japanese Gardens. Repatriation involves the return of human
remains or cultural artifacts to the native tribe; it does
not include land.
An unsettled lawsuit from 1993 that was filed by the Native
American Heritage Commission against the California State
University Trustees has limited the CSU's ability to comply
with the federal reparations law. The lawsuit surfaced after
the land was considered to be transformed into a strip mall.
"The trustees won't admit that Puvungna is Puvungna,"
said Eugene Ruyle, professor of anthropology. "As long
as there is a lawsuit, nothing can be done."
The Save Puvungna organization would like the land to be turned
into an American Indian cultural center or an arboretum that
would house artifacts found on the land.
The state is looking to pass a $2 billion bond bill for cultural
and historic preservation. According to Ruyle, a portion
of the money is earmarked for Puvungna but the lawsuit must
be dismissed to get a share.
Colleen Bentley-Adler, director of public affairs for the
Chancellor's Office, said the case was not active. She said
there has not been any updates or current litigation on Puvungna.
President Maxson stated that he would not develop on Puvungna
as long as he is in office, according to Armando Contreras,
executive assistant to the president. He said that out of
courtesy, the President's Office makes sure an observer is
on site during any construction on campus to make sure any
burials found would be handled appropriately.
The Academic Senate established a Committee of Repatriation
that is made up of five faculty members and five people nominated
by tribal authorities to make sure decisions about issues
involving Puvungna are in conjunction with the rights of the
American Indians.
"Puvungna is sacred to local Indians and all Indians.
When people from tribes around the nation come to Los Angeles,
they want to come to Puvungna," said Jan Sampson, alumnus
of CSULB and activist in the Puvungna struggle.
The California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation
Act of 2001 does not settle disputes between the Save Puvungna
organization and the Board of Trustees but it is a step in
the right direction in protection of the American Indian property
found on Puvungna.
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