Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation Objects to Disturbance of Sacred Land at Monarch Sanctuary

Text of Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation letter:


September 16, 2015
Department of Fish and Wildlife

Saleki Atsa,

Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation is the legal tribal government representative for over 600 enrolled members of Esselen, Carmeleno, Monterey Band, Rumsen, Chalon, San Carlos Mission and/or Costanoan Mission Indian descent. Though other indigenous people may have lived in the area, the area is the indigenous homeland of our people.

Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation objects to all excavation and disturbance in known cultural lands. We declare the importance and sacredness of our cultural lands even when they are described as previously disturbed, and of no significant archaeological value. OCEN considers the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary a sacred and ceremonial land with a deep spiritual significance to OCEN's Tribal Members.

For years OCEN has blessed and prayed at the Annual Blessing of the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary. Especially with the near destruction caused by the cutting of branches from the trees which caused the Monarch Butterflies not to return home to the Monarch Sanctuary. With the planting of additional trees and the prayers of all attending the Monarch Butterflies are now growing in their numbers. For years we have met to pray at the Monarch Sanctuary, not only for the Community Blessing but separately and as a Tribal Council.

OCEN's Tribal Members Families have lived in Monterey County thousands of years, our Ancestors are buried along the coast within 1 mile from the Monarch Sanctuary land where we host ceremonies and prayers for our Ancestors, the Butterflies and our Sacred Lands on this Earth. The sites is within 1/2 mile of two (2) burial sites as well as hundreds of recorded CA-MNT sites.

I ask you on behalf of OCEN and for the betterment of the community not to destroy the Monarch Sanctuary. There is too much destruction in the name of progress, save they Monarchs and the Sanctuary for the future of our children.

Attached please find a copy of the Sacred Lands Inventory. I submit to the Native American Heritage Commission to acknowledge the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary as a Sacred/Power Area and Worship/Ritual Site on.

Nimasianexelpasaleki

Louise J. Miranda Ramirez
OCEN Tribal Chairwoman


More information about the Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation:
http://www.ohlonecostanoanesselennation.org/