Long before Palm Springs became known for midcentury architecture, Hollywood glamour, wellness resorts, and desert escapes, this place was—and remains—the ancestral homeland of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. For thousands of years, the Agua Caliente people have lived in relationship…
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Entry to One of Palm Springs’ Most Sacred Sites Ancestors of the Agua Caliente people thrived in Tahquitz Canyon. As with the numerous canyons in the valley, they were able to hunt, gather, and utilize the water to thrive in the Palm Springs area. Their village sites date back thousands of years…
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How one ancient spring shaped a people, a place, and a city. Long before Palm Springs became a destination, before roads or railways or resorts, there was Séc-he — the hot mineral spring at the heart of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ ancestral homeland. Archaeological evidence shows…
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A Journey Into the Heart of the Indian Canyons Few places in the American desert feel as unexpectedly lush as Palm Canyon. Just minutes from downtown Palm Springs, this remarkable oasis is home to the world’s largest natural stand of Washingtonia filifera , the only palm species native to the western…
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Connecting the Past, Present, and Future A visit to the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum begins not with an exhibit, but with the words, “Welcome to Our Home.” That distinction matters. This is not simply a museum. It is a space of cultural authority, where the story of the Agua Caliente Band of…
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From Ancestral Lands to Modern Sovereignty in Palm Springs The history of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is foundational to understanding Palm Springs. Long before the city emerged as a resort destination, the Agua Caliente people lived, adapted, and thrived in the desert environment for…
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A Deep History Rooted in Cahuilla Homeland Long before Palm Springs became a destination, the Cahuilla people lived across more than 6,000 square miles of desert, mountain, and canyon landscapes in Southern California. The clans who lived near the sacred hot spring known as Séc-he became known as…
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Discover Authentic Native American Art, Culture, and Living Stories The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum is a journey into the history, heritage, and living culture of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Through powerful exhibitions, artifacts, and storytelling, the museum explores deep…
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A Story of Community, Resilience, and Renewal on Tribal Land What Was Section 14? Bordered by Alejo Road (north), Ramon Road (south), Sunrise Way (east), and Indian Canyon Drive (west), Section 14 is part of the checkerboard-shaped Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. Who Lived in Section 14: A…
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How the Agua Caliente Tribe’s All-Woman Council Changed Palm Springs Forever Palm Springs has long been a city ahead of its time, famed for its bold architecture, vibrant culture, and progressive spirit. But one of the most groundbreaking moments in its history came in 1954, when the Agua Caliente…
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