Members of Many Faiths to Participate in Peace Walk Protesting Desecration of Native American Sacred Site

November 6, 2005

Source: Contra Costa Times

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/13096881.htm

On November 6, 2005 the Contra Costa Times reported, "Shellmound Street is just an address to most shoppers at Bay Street Emeryville. A turn onto Ohlone Way leads to Banana Republic, Old Navy, California Pizza Kitchen, Steve Madden Footwear and P.F. Chang's China Bistro.

But many American Indians consider this a sacred area, and they bitterly resent what they consider its desecration.

The Bay Street mall stands atop what is left of the Emeryville Shellmound, a vast site at least 2,700 years old containing buried human remains as well as shells, tools and artifacts of the East Bay's early inhabitants, the Ohlone... The Emeryville Shellmound is one of scores along the Bay shore that were bulldozed, built over, and used for fill and road-paving material. Indian leaders and preservationists want to protect other shellmounds and sacred sites in the area... On Monday, Indian leaders, Buddhist monks and people from many spiritual and political persuasions will begin a three-week Sacred Site/Shellmound Peace Walk... The Sikh Temple in El Sobrante will provide overnight shelter, food and a place to shower Tuesday, said temple member Harpreet Sandhu. Several churches have offered shelter later in the walk, Gould said."