Agua Caliente Tribal Chairman: ‘Deep connection’ between ancestral land and new cultural plaza

A day ahead of the grand opening of the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza and Museum, which News Channel 3 got an exclusive preview of, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribal Chairman Reid Milanovich invited members of the media to experience the ancestral lands which hold much of his people's history and culture.

Milanovich led the small group on a hike through the Andreas Canyon Trailhead, which lies in the Indian Canyons. The experience gave the group the opportunity to see rock mortars where where the Agua Caliente people would grind food and medicine.

The trail is flanked with a variety of plants, fan palms, and unique rock formations, along with the tranquil presence of the Andreas Creek.

"This is a retreat from the business of life. A place to escape. A place where our ancestors have been walking for thousands of years," said Milanovich.

More than 31,000 acres of ancestral lands make up Agua Caliente land, which lies within the cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage and portions of unincorporated Riverside County.

The new cultural plaza and museum will provide an educational resource to visitors about tribal lands.

"I've grown up coming to these canyons, as so many of our tribal members have. We have such a deep connection to this place. We know about this wildlife We know about these lands. This is us, and being able to educate visitors and guests who come from all over the world, it's a great honor being able to talk about our history," according to Milanovich.

Watch News Channel 3 at 5:00 p.m. tonight for more on the story.