Traditionally Associated Tribes

A Homeland to Many

The lands currently managed by Joshua Tree National Park include parts of the traditional homelands of the Maara’yam (Serrano), Nüwü (Chemehuevi), and Kawiya (Cahuilla), and the traditional use area of the Aha Macave (Mohave). Today, these groups are represented by 15 federally-recognized tribal governments:

• Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
• Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians
• Cabazon Band of Mission Indians
• Cahuilla Band of Indians
• Chemehuevi Indian Tribe
• Colorado River Indian Tribes
• Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
• Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians
• Morongo Band of Mission Indians
• Ramona Band of Cahuilla
• Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation
• Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians
• Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
• Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians
• Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.

Joshua Tree National Park acknowledges the 15 associated tribal communities as the original stewards of the land on which Joshua Tree National Park now sits. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work with the indigenous people of this place. We pay our respect to the people past, present and emerging who have been here since time immemorial.

 

Olla and basket