Mediation Set For Native American Burial Site In Vallejo
VALLEJO (KCBS) – A federal mediator is expected to meet with the Greater Vallejo Recreation Department on Monday to discuss its plans to turn an ancient Native American burial site into a parking lot, bathrooms, benches and trails at the 15-acre Glen Cove Waterfront Park.
During an Earth Day celebration this weekend, about a hundred people gathered to honor their long-buried Ohlone elders.
"They come to sing their songs at night and pay respects to the elders and ancestors that are here and offer their prayers that we can protect this place," said Corrina Gould with the group Indian People Organizing for Change.
KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:
Gould said the two sides remain at odds over the park development plans.
"We're asking once again not to have bathrooms on this site. There's a bathroom several hundred yards from this area that people can use," she said. "We're asking not to have a parking space put here because there's ample parking here for the public. And we're asking them not to grade the hill that may still have remains of our ancestors in it and to leave this site as it is."
Glen Cove Waterfront Park is considered one of the last Native American village sites in the Bay Area.
Protesters have been camped out at the site for more than a week to show their displeasure with the GVRD plans.
A mediator with the U.S. Department of Justice is scheduled to meet with the Greater Vallejo Recreation Department to discuss whether there would be a future meeting between the Native Americans and GVRD.
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