Tribe Members Exchange Words With Officials

What started as a quiet candlelight vigil to protest possible development on American Indian burial sites turned into a shouting match between local Indian activists and city officials Monday night.

Accusing council members of trying to “push through the Hellman project,” about 50 members of various tribes started the evening with a vigil before approaching the council with their concerns. The residential project and golf course have been proposed for the 180-acre Hellman Ranch site, which archeologists say holds at least 13 ancient burial sites.

“Native people, my relatives, have to stand up and defend their sacred rights,” said Helen Anderson of the Gabrielino tribe.

Lillian Robles, an elder with the Juaneno tribe, said, “Our ancestors have been in the ground for thousands of years. . . . Spiritually, we are hurting. We ache. We are the original people of this land, and we have no respect, and no laws protect us.”

Mayor Gwen Forsythe, angered by the accusations, challenged the protesters to get involved in the decision-making process.

“Get off your behinds, stop complaining and start working with us,” she said.

A complete archeological study of the site is pending, and an environmental impact report is required before development can proceed.