SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Juaneno Indians to Protest at Mission

While the city celebrates the traditional return of the swallows to Mission San Juan Capistrano on Monday, the area’s only native Indian tribe plans to stage a protest at the historic mission.

The peaceful demonstration on Swallows Day is being organized by Juaneno Tribal Chairman David Belardes to call attention to an ongoing dispute over the replacement of Floyd Nieblas, a 40-year mission employee and its director.

Nieblas, a Juaneno Indian, left his job in December, 18 months before his scheduled retirement, Belardes said. Nieblas and Juaneno representatives say he was fired; mission spokesmen say he left of his own accord.

Belardes said that the incident illustrates a claim by tribal members that they are taking a back seat in decision-making at the mission, once the center of the tribe’s existence.

“My people have been here forever,” Belardes said. “We don’t see this as a business. We have lived and died here for generations.”

Belardes said that members of the tribe will meet early Monday morning at the mission while residents, tourists and the media are gathering to catch the first glimpse of the return of the swallows.

Tribal members will perform a native dance and ceremony in traditional dress, Belardes said. The group will then march into the 214-year-old mission’s quadrangle.

Mission spokesman Brian McInerney, director of the mission tourist center and a spokesman, said the Juanenos are welcome to demonstrate.

McInerney added that he does not believe the role of the Juaneno has diminished at the mission. Rather, he said, it is increasing due to Belardes’ involvement.

“The Mission San Juan Capistrano is deeply appreciative of the past and the present relationship with the Juaneno tribe through the efforts of Mr. Belardes,” McInerney said. “We share history, and we’re very appreciative of his efforts.”

In addition to Nieblas’ alleged firing, Belardes claimed that at least two other Indian employees have been replaced. Juaneno representatives have long claimed that their importance and role at the historic site, called the Jewel of the California Missions, is waning.

The Friends of Historic San Juan Capistrano, a community group, is also supporting the Juaneno protest.

Swallows Day, also called La Fiesta de las Golondrinas, is celebrated at the mission, beginning about 7 a.m.