English/Nat A Native American Indian tribe is battling against wealthy property owners in a clash of cultures in southern California. Developers want to build luxury houses in Malibu with views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains. But the site they have in mind for their development is home to ancient Indian burial grounds, which the Chumash tribe wants to preserve. Money is pitted against heritage in the idyllic California seaside city of Malibu - home to the Chumash Indian tribe for hundreds of years. Wealthy land owners looking to build (m) million dollar dream houses with views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica mountains feel they are being hindered by a self- appointed and self-interested tribe. The survivors of the long-dispersed tribe - like Rosemary Lopez -- are struggling to preserve ancient burial sites and deposits of tribal artifacts. They are trying to prevent developers from digging up scores of archaeological sites to build new houses swimming pools and tennis courts. The Chumash says the area is sacred to them. SOUNDBITE: "Through studies and digs - archaeological digs - it has shown that it is a burial site - they have brought up numerous artifacts showing that this is an area where native Americans have stayed - it is an actual settlement." SUPERCAPTION: Rosemary Lopez, Chumash Tribe. Malibu still requires property developers to conduct archaeological surveys before excavating and grading land. But the Chumash say this is not enough. Saying the studies are superficial and cheap, they are demanding more intense surveys. SOUNDBITE: "So what I'm asking - and I think what other people are asking - is that you do your studies, you know, possibly before you purchase your property. If that is not feasible then continue in doing with the studies after you have purchased it like what we are asking for Topanga Canyon. We are asking for more studies to be done before permanent structures be put on them." SUPERCAPTION: Rosemary Lopez, Chumash Tribe. Landowners feel that the American Indian Movement and Indian cultural resource managers are unfairly raising prices of archaeological surveys. This has led to long-fought court battles between the Indians and landowners -- with judges siding with property-owners and a reduced cost for an archaeological study. Despite protests by Indians the city says it has done all that it is legally possible to preserve the land. SOUNDBITE: "The city has gone out of its way to try and get the educational value that we can and to be respectful of the cultural-spiritual significance, but we don't have a right to say to people you can't build here because this was a cemetery. That's not an option for the city because the property - it doesn't belong to the city. So we are stuck in the middle, trying to find a solution that is respectful to the significance of the property - to those who don't own it but has a historical significance - and also respectful to the property rights of those who do currently own it." SUPERCAPTION: Christi Hogin, Malibu City Attorney. The law requires the hiring of a city archaeologist and a cultural resource manager to oversee the new construction, but it does not adequately address the question of costs. The bitterness between landowners and the Indians is increasing as developers feel Indian survey consultants are driving up survey prices. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/7b5888df51df77bb63bca3a2ea267f14 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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