Native American Tribe In California Purchases Big Sur Ancestral Lands

A northern California Native American tribe's sacred land has been returned to them.

The Esselen Tribe inhabited the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Big Sur coast for thousands of years.

According to CNN, Spanish explorers took their land from them nearly 250 years ago.

The Western Rivers Conservancy helped the tribe to be rewarded a grant through the California Natural Resources Agency.

Together the conservancy and The Esselen Tribe purchased 1200 acres for $4.5 million.