April 29 , 2010

Resolution of Support for Mission San Juan Capistrano and its Current Administration

The Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, young and old, gathered on Saturday, April 17 for the purpose of combining their voices and passing an authoritative and continued Resolution of Support for Mission San Juan Capistrano and its current administration. The Resolution was passed on behalf of the more than 1,900 Acjachemen Nation Native Americans and later presented on Tuesday, April 27 at a rally of support at the Mission.

“We are proud of our relationship with the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians and their Tribal Council.” said Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, Executive Director of Mission San Juan Capistrano. “We are also grateful for the elders who support, care for, and love the Old Mission.”

According to a press release by the Tribe, “The Tribe chose to support and honor the Mission and its leadership, Reverend Monsignor Arthur A. Holquin, Rector/Pastor Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano and Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence-Adams with a combined and continued Resolution of Support confirmed by the Juaneño Elders and historic families of San Juan Capistrano.”

“The few individuals who are either not enrolled with the Tribe or who are not Indian do not represent the historic Juaneño families or the Tribe.” stated Juaneño Tribal Chairman Anthony Rivera, Jr. “Nor are their personal negative opinions against the Tribe or the Mission sanctioned by the combined voice of Tribal authorities, Tribal Elders, or the over 1,900 enrolled Juaneño Indians.”

The rally of support began around 8:15 a.m. outside the Mission’s front gates where Tribal members and Mission supporters held signs with statements of support. Soon after, members went to the Great Stone Church where they sang traditional songs, offered prayers and carried sage, and presented the resolution to Lawrence-Adams.

Lawrence-Adams: “We will continue to work hard to make the Mission a place of living history, telling the story of their people to all people who come to the Mission to experience this historic landmark. We will work to preserve important traditions vital to the Tribe. We are committed to making the Mission a place for all who care and want to be involved in protecting its religious and historic significance.”

The Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, has a 230-year relationship with the Mission, and honors the Tribe’s deep-rooted history and association with the founding of the Mission.

Lawrence-Adams: “To me, their history is essential to the Mission and it will continue to be a source of pride.”

In 2005 and today, the Mission officially endorsed the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, and formally acknowledges Anthony Rivera, Jr. as the duly elected Chairman; recognizing that the Tribe’s aboriginal territories are located throughout Orange County, from the Pacific Ocean to the West, to parts of Los Angeles County to the North, to parts of Riverside County to the East, and to parts of Camp Pendleton to the South.


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