Who We Are
The Pala Cultural Resource Committee (PCRC) is a volunteer advisory group to the Pala Executive Committee and the General Council, guiding on issues related to cultural resource protection, preservation, management, and revitalization. The PCRC is open to all adult Pala tribal members.
What We Do
The PCRC meets to discuss issues of concern to the Pala Band of Mission Indians that involve cultural resource affairs, including:
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)
- Repatriation of NAGPRA cultural items
- Research on publicly-funded museum and university collections
- Curation of repatriated items and other items of cultural significance, including archaeological collections, cultural objects, artworks, historical records, photographs, and documents
- Consultation on development projects taking place within PBMI’s Traditional Use Area
- Developing a cultural monitoring program
- Updating and expanding cultural facilities
- Education, outreach, materials, programs, classes, and other events
How We Do It
In the summer of 2017, the PCRC began to develop through community interest in cultural preservation issues. Flyers were distributed to generate participation. Once the group was established, the members submitted a proposal outlining the group’s purpose to the Executive Committee and asked for their support. In November 2017, the PCRC was officially recognized as an organized group under the direction of the Executive Committee.
On the third Thursday of each month, the committee members gather at the Pala Admin Building to discuss cultural issues, concerns, and events in Indian Country that affect the Pala Tribe. The committee is a volunteer opportunity for members to be actively involved in advising the Executive Committee and General Council on repatriation possibilities, as well as stay informed on happenings on tribally connected lands in the area.
The PCRC board consists of twelve Pala tribal members. However, we understand all tribal members have a valuable voice and therefore maintain an open-door policy welcoming all tribal members to attend meetings and events.
The PCRC works side by side with the Cupa Cultural Board, a separate tribal organization, and maintains a commitment to a solid joint working relationship on all cultural issues.
Together, we will work to repatriate cultural items and ancestral remains, doing so in a manner that is culturally appropriate. Continued research, education, meetings, training opportunities, grant funding, and strong working relationships within Indian Country will be key factors in our continued success.
Recent Projects and Training
- Reinterment of fragmented bones discovered at a local housing development project
- Repatriation and reinterment of two sets of human remains and other items from the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum at UC Berkeley (expenses covered by a National Park Service grant)
- Introduction to NAGPRA training
- Section 106 Basics
- Specialized training for individual members (NAGPRA, tribal monitoring, etc.)
Current Board Members
Sophia Alvarado
Arthur Ayala
Robert Chavez
Diana Duro
Ricci Duro
DaNikka Huss
Richard Lavato
Jenah Lattin
Erika McKee
Christopher Nejo
Eric Ortega
Theressa Villa
Meeting Information
The Pala Cultural Resource Committee meets on the third Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m. at the Pala Admin Building.
