Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day Celebrates Culture Of Local Tribe

From the City of Temecula: The City of Temecula in partnership with the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians would like to invite the public to join the 2017 holiday commemoration of "Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day." Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day is a local holiday formally observed in the City of Temecula every November that reminds the community of the culture of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians.

Learn about the history and culture of Luiseño Indians and California Indians through the books published by Pechanga's Great Oak Press. From children's books through adults, Great Oak Press will be selling newly published works at Pu'éska Day event pricing within the City's Town Square in Old Town.

November is also National American Indian Heritage Month.

Special Event: 2017 Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day Holiday Commemoration

Location: City of Temecula, City Hall Town Square, 41000 Main Street, Temecula, CA 92590

Date: Saturday, November 18, 2017

Time: 11:00 am Presentation at City Steps

What is Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day?

Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day is a City holiday in recognition of the November day in 2012 when Pu'éska Mountain was reunited with its original Pechanga stewards. One of the Nation's largest aggregate surface mines slated to destroy the Sacred Creation Area of all Luiseño Indians, and impose harmful quality of life impacts to its surrounding communities, was ultimately stopped by a historical agreement negotiated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. The holiday Proclamation echoes the story of how the community worked tirelessly for seven years to oppose the excavation and destruction of an environmentally and culturally sensitive mountain. The annual holiday is an opportunity to reflect on the profound ways in which the Pechanga Tribe, Temecula's first citizens, has shaped our community's character and heritage.

The program will reaffirm the City's Proclamation of Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day as a local holiday at the front steps of City Hall on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 11:00 am.

When the holiday was proclaimed in 2012, Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro stated, "The struggle to protect our heritage and health served as yet another reminder that our histories - and our futures - are indeed interwoven. We look forward to commemorating this mutually important achievement as one community."

Image via the City of Temecula