ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : A Native Memorial

San Juan Capistrano celebrated this week the welcome if long overdue official state recognition that the Juaneno band of Mission natives was Orange County’s original native people.

The Spanish missionaries named the band Juaneno, after the name they gave the mission they established in 1776 on native land--San Juan Capistrano. The native religion and language were nearly swamped by those of the new arrivals. It is a tribute to the ancestors of today’s band members that they fought to preserve and pass on their culture.

It has taken all these years and unrelenting efforts by the Juaneno people to get recognition. A leader of the Juaneno band was honored two months ago when ground was broken for a San Clemente elementary school to be named for Clarence Lobo. He was the Juaneno chief from 1946 until his death in 1985 and traced his family history in Orange County to 1826.

The appalling neglect of Native American history by the missionaries and those who followed them can be seen in the fact that, according to school district officials, the school is the first in the state to honor any tribal leader. One member of the Juaneno band struck a poignant note, saying with sorrow that his father and grandfather were not alive to witness the ceremony.

The administrators of Mission San Juan Capistrano have moved in recent years to strengthen links to the Juanenos, including them in history programs and archeological digs. It is deserved recognition of their place in history.