Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian bird singers perform at Cal State San Bernardino during at Native American Heritage month in November 2022.
Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian bird singers perform at Cal State San Bernardino during at Native American Heritage month in November 2022. Credit: (source: csusb.edu)

Ellen Perrault

November is Native American Heritage month when the nation acknowledges and honors the rich and diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of Native Americans. 

This month, the City of Riverside, that stands on the traditional and ancestral lands of the Cahuilla Nation; Gabrielino-Tongva People; Payomkawichum /the Luiseño Indians; and the Yuhaaviatam, clan of Maara’yam /the Serrano is honoring Native American people.  

For thousands of years, Native Americans lived and thrived in this area despite experiencing great adversity with the arrival of white people.  The people of the Inland Empire shared a common environment and a deep reverence for nature. They were also linked through many of their cultural practices including basketry, bird singing, storytelling, as well as hunting and gathering their foods.  

The bird singing, of Southern California Native Americans describe the history of the creation and migration of the people in search for their homeland.  The songs provide an oral tradition. Songs are sung to remind people of their history and are passed down from generation to generation. Bird singers usually accompany their songs with the sounds of a gourd rattle.

Assemblymember James Ramos performing with the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian bird singers at Cal State San Bernardino during Native American Heritage month in November 2022. The CSUSB Santos Manuel Student Union North, named after his great-great grandfather. (source: csusb.edu)

In their Native languages, the people refer to their time here as yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  

Despite the many hardships Native American people have experienced, they continue to see a future that offers an unknown potential in the promise of tomorrow. 

The Cahuilla Nation

The inland basin—including the desert, plains, and canyons south of the San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountains is home to the Cahuilla Nation. The nation consists of nine federally recognized bands including Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, Cahuilla Band of Indians, Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians of the Los Coyotes Reservation, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Ramona Band of Cahuilla Indians, Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians and Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians.