Puvungna site should be preserved as sacred place

In the annals of world history, historians have repeatedly said that Native American Indians originally inhabited the New World before early European settlers arrived to dwell upon this promised land.

Through rage and violence, Native Americans were decimated and relegated to reservation camps, witnessing the loss of the fertile soil they once freely roamed and tediously cultivated.

All that is left are few remaining sacred burial grounds that linger to remind them of their glorious past.

Puvungna is one such burial ground that the Gabrielino Indians hold sacred.

Destroying a sanctified Indian burial ground like Puvungna, in order to establish a mini shopping mall, is a travesty not only to the tribe's cultural history but religion as well.

According to Cal State Long Beach anthropology professor Eugene Ruyle, Puvungna is the creation site of Chungichnish, the revered Gabrielino Indian deity.

It is the place where the god supposedly revealed himself to his people.

In addition, Ruyle indicated that the whole CSULB campus is also considered part of Puvungna upon which a 500-acre home to dozens of archaeological sites that lie buried underground.

Hence, the building of a commercial shopping center on the controversial 22-acre lot will not only destroy the ancient relics of a Native American legacy but the spirit of identity of the Gabrielino Indians, an Indian tribe that is part of our city's colorful history. The relics of the past are the foundation of the future.

Furthermore, Ruyle stressed that even CSULB President Robert Maxson is opposed to the establishment of the mini-mall on the disputed site. According to Ruyle, Maxson believes CSULB is a committed academic institution and the building of a commercial property will tarnish such an image.

Recently, a court hearing for Puvungna was held to hear oral arguments from both sides.

The hearing focused on the notion of constitutionality of state law that protects sacred Indian burial ground on public land.

Ruyle said supporters of the mini-mall project say that such an existing law protects Indian religion, which they see as unconstitutional, for it emphasizes a state religion.

The existence of Puvungna does not uphold the accusation that it imposes a state religion, but rather remains a symbol to acknowledge and respect other cultures' religious beliefs.

After all, the founding fathers of this great country accommodated religious freedom in the nation's First Amendment to the constitution.

Puvungna's preservation, rich in the cultural legacy of a people who are part of our nation's history, can only serve as evidence of our founding fathers' intentions.

Christian Baldemor is a reporter for the Daily Forty-Niner.