Pechanga Pu'eska Mountain Day Holiday Commemoration Set for Saturday

The following is a news release 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 2014 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 15th that reminds the community of the culture of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. The Pechanga Cultural Resources Department will be on hand to provide cultural information, hands-on family-friendly cultural activities, Native American food, and a mobile museum within the City’s Town Square in Old Town. November is also National American Indian Heritage Month.

• Special Event: 2014 Pechanga Pu’éska Mountain Day Holiday Commemoration
• Location: City of Temecula
• City Hall Town Square
• 41000 Main Street, Temecula, CA 92590
• Date: Saturday, November 15, 2014
• Time: 11:00am Presentation at City Steps
• (Pechanga Cultural Exhibits: 10am-2pm)
• Activities: Learn about Temecula’s Native American Heritage as the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians share their culture with hands-on family-friendly activities, a mobile museum, Native American food and more!

Pechanga Pu’éska Mountain Day is a City holiday in recognition of November 15, 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 15, 2014 at 11:00am.