Pala Indian Band close to buying homeland

PALA, Calif., - More than a hundred years ago, the Cupa Indians were forced to leave their ancestral land in Warner Springs. Fast forward to the present, and the Cupa, now called the Pala Band of Mission Indians, is close to purchasing their original home.

"Ancestral land is a big thing. I can't think of words to say it," said Robert Smith, tribal chairman for the Pala Indians.

Smith recalls hundreds of stories of the government forcing his ancestors off their land years ago.

"It was hard. They loaded up the women, the children and just marched them out. It was a three day trip to Pala," he said.

About 200 tribal members, men, women, and children left the Warner Springs area, and walked 40-miles away to what is considered the Pala Indian Reservation, said Smith. The combined with the Luiseno tribe of Indians, and today it's considered Pala.

It was tough then, said Smith, but they made the most of it. The Pala are now the stewards of a thriving casino, resort, and spa. Since it opened in 2001, Smith said it set aside money in the hopes of one day reacquiring the land at Warner Springs Ranch. $20-million dollars later, and just a few months from closing escrow, the tribe is closer than ever to achieving that goal.

"We always wanted to do it from our heart, we believed we can, but now we have the wherewithall to do it so it's really come to fruition," said Smith.

He said about a year ago, owner of the Ranch approached the Pala Indians and inquired if they would consider running the facility. The Ranch is already a getaway resort, but according to its general manager, it's gone through some tough times and needed help.

"They'll be good stewards for the land itself because they respect it, and they will respect it even more so because it is part of their heritage," said Jim Stilwell, general manager of Warner Springs Ranch.

A heritage that wa forced to move in 1903. But for many this is an opportunity of a lifetime.

"Those stories are passed down to the generations of oral history, so the significance of that land cannot be overstated to the Pala people," said Shasta Gaughen, assistant director of the Cupa Cultural Center.

The tribe said it hopes escrow closes sometime in June or July. There are no plans to open a casino at the Ranch, but they do hope to make it profitable for many years to come.