The U.S. National Park Service has confirmed to the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians that the ancestral Chemehuevi cemetery in Twentynine Palms has been listed to the National Register of Historic Places, according to officials.
The Chemehuevi, the progenitors of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, have a historical connection to the cemetery. As of Tuesday, their reservation includes both Riverside and San Bernardino counties, with Joshua Tree National Park separating them.
In a statement, Chairman Darrell Mike said, “Our ancestors are part of this land for all eternity; burial grounds are significant to Indigenous culture and our tribal identity.”
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The tribe has a long and illustrious history that spans the whole southeast desert region.
The cemetery is only one place that will be maintained for centuries to come, and the National Park Service designation connects our tribal heritage to these vast areas.
