Mechelle Lawrence-Adams

Juaneno Chief's Wife Cha Cha Belardes Passes Away

Photo by John Gilhooley Chief David Belardes with tribal manager Joyce Perry of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians. ​When the Weekly was covering the conflict between Mission San Juan Capistrano and a faction of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians earlier this year, it appea ... More >>

Letters From OC Weekly Readers

Rain, Sage, Chants, Prayers, Apologies All Wrapped Up in a Rainbow

After turning a corner leading to the Mission San Juan Capistrano courtyard, participants leaving this morning's wet prayer ceremony in honor of Native Americans who perished in an 1812 earthquake that toppled the Old Stone Church were treated to a bright, magnificent rainbow hanging over the wester ... More >>

David Belardes, OC's Most Controversial Native American Leader, Draws a Line in the Cemetery