Cahuilla

The region is the ancestral homeland of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians and other tribes, who led the push for safeguarding the land.

To the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, the red color of the hills and canyon walls is a sign of the bleeding heart of their creator god, Mukat.

“We are happy to see the designation protect this area that contains thousands of cultural places and objects of vital importance to the history and identity of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians,” said Joseph DL Mirelez, chairman of the tribe.

The push to protect the site was led by the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, who have lived in the desert regions of Southern California, including the Coachella Valley near Joshua Tree, for thousands of years.

“For thousands of years, the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians have called the lands in the Chuckwalla National Monument home,” said Joseph DL Mirelez, chairman of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians.