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[[image of Native American eagle]] DEGANAWIDAH-QUETZALCOATL NIBWAKA-WIKAMIK UNIVERSIDAD DEGANAWIDAH-QUETZALCOATL DEGANAWIDAH-QUETZALCOATL UNIVERSITY PO. BOX 409 DAVIS CALIFORNIA (916) 752-3237 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1971 DQU is granted site - transfer of deed remains Barring unforeseen snags in the short piece of red tape left, Deganawidah-Quetzalcoatl University will be granted a deed on April 2 to the 646.7 acres it has been using for our [[sic]] months now. The announcement came to the Enterprise from the Washington office of Senator Alan Cranston who said that the U.S. Department of health, education and welfare yesterday approved D-QU's application for the land. Cranston's office added that final approval is now merely a "technicality" and will presumably take place before the presently scheduled deed transfer on April 2. On Jan. 15, HEW's regional office in San Francisco granted an interim use permit to DQU to use the site, formerly a US army strategic communications command facility. The one possible snag which remains is a forthcoming judgement by the environmental protection agency on the whether or not the use of the site by DQU would have an "adverse environmental impact." However, the general services administration, as required by the national environmental policy act of 1969, has prepared a draft environmental statement to federal and local agencies which says they cannot not determine any adverse environmental effects from DQU use. Local and federal agencies - including the city of Davis and Yolo county - have 30 days to offer any objection. Contacted at his office this morning, DQU leader Dave Risling expressed both confidence and caution on the scheduled deed transfer. "We knew that HEW was going to approve," said Risling, "but until we see that deed in our hands, we still don't have it." Risling, however, did concede that plans for what he called "a big pow-wow and a big celebration festival" were already underway for April 2. Invitations are in the works, and Risling expects about 1000 people to come to the DQU site that Friday night. To prepare for the celebration Risling said DQU people have been organizing major work week-ends on the property and that they will continue until the April 2 date. Today' announcement highlights and April 2 will culminate months of plotting, planning, organizing and assembling a new university expressly committed to telling the story of American Indians and Chicanos. Indians scaled the fences of the former Army communications site before dawn last election day. Nov. 3, upon haring a telegram from the office of then U. S. senator George Murphy that HEW had awarded tha [[sic]] land to UCD. They have occupied the land ever since, illegally until Jan. 15, and then legally until now. The occupation led UCD to withdraw its application for the land. But major educational activities will not be possible, under HEW regulations until the deed transfer. At that time DQU officials also expect to shake loose some federal and foundation funds. Now DQU is operating minimally with contributions of money, classroom furniture office supplies, and so forth from local residents. The awarding of the armysite [[sic]] to DQU has generally been regarded as the first Indian victory in a series of confrontations with the federal government including those over Alcatraz and tribal lands in Trinity and Humboldt national forests. A university dedicated to the progress of the Native American and Chicano people.
