Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians of California facts for kids
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| United States (California) | |
| Languages | |
| English, Chemehuevi language | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional tribal religion, Christianity (Roman Catholicism) |
|
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Chemehuevi and Mission Indian tribes |
The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians of California is a special group of Native American people. They are officially recognized by the United States government. This tribe is part of the larger group known as Mission Indians.
The tribe has a special homeland called a reservation. This reservation is split into two parts. One part is located near the cities of Indio and Coachella in Riverside County. The other part is in the city of Twentynine Palms in San Bernardino County, California.
Even though some experts think the tribe is related to the Luiseño, the tribe itself says they are Chemehuevi.
History of the Twenty-Nine Palms Tribe
The area where the tribe lives was first settled in 1867. A group of Chemehuevi people made their home there. The people living there today are descendants of that original Chemehuevi group. They formed what is now known as the Twenty-Nine Palms Band.
Where the Tribe Lives
The tribe's reservation has two separate areas. The main part is in Indio. The other part is in the city of Twenty-Nine Palms at 34°07′02″N 116°03′00″W / 34.11722°N 116.05000°W.
The section of the Twenty-Nine Palms Reservation in San Bernardino County was created in 1895. It covers about 402 acres (163 hectares). This part of the reservation is right next to the city of Twentynine Palms. It is also close to Joshua Tree National Park.
Before 1976, the Riverside County part of the reservation was shared. It was shared with another tribe called the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. In 1976, a law from Congress officially split the reservation. The larger Cabazon Indian Reservation is next to the main section of the Twenty-Nine Palms reservation.
Important Places in Their History
A special place for the Chemehuevi people is a burial ground in Twentynine Palms. This burial ground was officially recognized in 1976. It is about one acre of land and has many graves.
In 1909, people reported seeing many marked graves at this site. One of these graves belonged to Old Jim Boniface. He was a leader of the tribe and passed away in 1903 when he was 90 years old. Other graves included those of many children from the family of Jim and Matilda Pine.
After a difficult event involving a person named Willie Boy, the tribe left Twentynine Palms. They went to live at the Mission Creek Reservation. The State of California recognized the Chemehuevi Cemetery as a Point of Historical Interest in 1974.
