Jan. 9 Daily Briefing: Tribes form bond at Palm Springs meeting, Harvey Milk honoree named, and more

Welcome to Tuesday, where we’re bummed but not broken hearted after last night’s college football championship game. Besides, it’s National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day — created in 2015 as a way to express gratitude for police officers in the United States — so we’ll be celebrating those who wear the badge in Palm Springs. Thanks for all you do!

🎶 Setting the mood: “The Victors” by the University of Michigan Marching Band

LEADING OFF

Two sovereign nations met and exchanged ideas Friday morning at the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza. Despite the physical distance that usually separates the two, leaders of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Osage Nation felt an immediate familiarity and spoke of the start of a new friendship.

Driving the news: The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians welcomed the Osage Nation to the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza Friday morning during a cultural exchange between the two sovereign nations.

Context: The night before, director Martin Scorcese received the Vanguard Award during the Palm Springs International Film Awards for his film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” based on the nonfiction book of the same title. 

• The film focuses on the brutal and systematic murders of Osage nation members and their subsequent coverup for their oil headrights in the 1920s.

What happened: Agua Caliente Chairman Reid Milanovich and Principal Chief of the Osage Nation Geoffrey Standing Bear addressed the audience made up of members of both tribes and actors from the film, including Lily Gladstone and Jesse Plemons. The two leaders spoke of the tribes’ shared values.

• The leaders, tribal members, and actors then went on a tour of the 48,000-square-foot Agua Caliente Cultural Museum.

What they’re saying: “We are building a foundation for a new relationship to flourish,” Milanovich said. “We have been brought together through our similar goals of telling our stories.”

What that means: Milanovich compared the film and the exposure it has given the Osage Nation to the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. “Our end goals are the same,” he said. “To tell our stories through our own authentic voice.”  

Yes but: Though the film was not directed by a member of the Osage nation, members of the nation were on hand throughout the production to consult on everything from costuming to language to story.

• Scorcese eventually revised the script to focus more on the Osage people after meeting with descendants of the victims. 

Standing Bear told Milanovich it was heartening to see the young members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Bird Singers and Dancers performing and carrying on traditions, “We appreciate it more than you know,” he said.

What to watch for: Standing Bear said he hopes to take what he learned from his meetings with the Agua Caliente back to the Osage Nation so they too can build their own museum. “Thank you for showing us it can be done,” he said.

BRIEFLY

🏳️‍🌈 Stuart Milk to be honored at Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast

Stuart Milk, an advocate for LGBTQ rights and co-founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation, will be honored at the 12th Annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, celebrating diversity and his uncle’s legacy.

• Stuart has been influential in global campaigns advocating for LGBTQ rights, speaking at esteemed institutions worldwide, including the United Nations and the White House.
  
  
• Harvey Milk Day honors the life, message, and impact of the civil rights leader, Harvey Milk, while raising funds for Coachella Valley LGBTQ youth programs.
  
  
• Details: The event is at 9:30 a.m. on May 9 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Tickets are available online starting at $95.

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FEATURED EVENTS

VillageFest Board Meeting
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The VillageFest Board meets tonight to discuss several potential new vendors, according to the agenda.

Sing Out Proud! Auditions
5:30 p.m. | Mizell Center
Auditions for the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus will be held by appointment today at the Mizell Center. Check out the website to learn more.

Coachella Acappella Guest Night
6:30 p.m. | Rancho Mirage High School
Tonight is “Guest Night” for the Coachella Acappella group. Guests can learn what it’s like to be a part of the women’s chorus.

“Avenue Q” Preview
7 p.m. | Revolution Stage Company
Previews begin tonight for the award-winning musical comedy “Avenue Q,” featuring human and puppet actors. ($25)

SAVE THE DATE

• Rock the Park free outdoor tribute band concert, rescheduled for this Wednesday.
  
  
• Palm Springs Speaks presents an evening with Fran Drescher on Jan. 25.
  
  
• Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival at Ruth Hardy Park on Jan. 27.
  
  
• PS Woman’s Club Annual Patio Sale on Feb. 3.
  
  
• Black History Committee 14th Annual Awards Gala on Feb. 3.
  
  
• Tour de Palm Springs in Downtown Palm Springs on Feb. 10

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AND FINALLY …

🎾It’s not exactly in Palm Springs, but local pickleball players will want to take note of a nearby event featuring the best in the game.

Driving the news: Pickleball talent and fans are set to converge on Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage for the Hyundai PPA Masters starting today and running through Sunday.

• The tournament features more than 1,000 pro and amateur players, including debut appearances from tennis champions alongside reigning pickleball stars.

What they’re saying: PPA Tour founder and CEO Connor Pardoe said his team is excited to kick off the tour in the Coachella Valley, “which has one of the most dedicated and passionate pickleball communities in the country.”

Details: The PPA Tour’s signature event will see its matches broadcast across several networks, including ESPN2, FS1, FS2, Tennis Channel, and PickleballTV. 

• Tickets for the Masters and details for the broadcast schedule are available on the official PPA Tour website.