Presented by Sean Milanovich, this talk will focus on the Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Cahuilla Indigenous People of the 29 Palms Region and the challenges they faced. At the Oasis of Mara (Mar’rah) near Twentynine Palms, Jim Mike led the Chemehuevi group, while Jim Pine led the Serrano. The people intermarried with each other and formed important kinships. Jim raised his family at the Oasis, where he and his wife Matilda planted a garden. Jim was a spiritual leader and conducted ceremonies for his family and others as needed. Jim welcomed Indigenous travelers and traded with them on their journey to the Pacific Ocean and to the Colorado River. Jim agreed to let his Chemehuevi relatives settle at the Oasis in the 1860s. Soon, the American invaders arrived and targeted his land for water and gold. For survival, Jim later moved from his family’s home of generations to be close to other family members. Jim fought for his birthright to trade, to live, share songs, and own land.

Sean Milanovich is a local boy from Southern California. Milanovich is a member of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and comes from a long line of leaders. Sean grew up on the Reservation on the eastern base of the San Jacinto Mountains. Sean holds a Ph.D. in American History, specializing in Native American History, from the University of California Riverside. Sean is a proud husband, father, and grandfather. Sean is a spiritual man and deeply involved in his peoples’ traditional and ceremonial ways. Sean contracts with Riverside University Health System-Behavioral Health as a Tribal Community Liaison.

This event is presented in partnership with the Desert Institute of Joshua Tree National Park.