Indigenous Perspectives of the Mojave Desert
June 23, 2022, 7 – 8:45 pm

The highlight of our programming series is the Indigenous Perspectives of the Mojave Desert panel discussion which includes representatives from four Native American tribal groups whose current and traditional homelands are located within the Mojave Desert. This conversation will dispel and dismantle the outdated but persistent mindset that the desert is a wasteland by sharing cultural traditions, philosophies, and personal stories that convey their deep regard and sacred connection to the lands they inhabit. Our goal is to amplify the contemporary experience of the Mojave Desert’s Indigenous people within their shared cultural landscape. Programming co-sponsors include the Native American Land Conservancy, Mojave Desert Land Trust and The Cultural Conservancy. Programming co-sponsors of this program include the Native American Land Conservancy, Mojave Desert Land Trust and The Cultural Conservancy. 

This panel will be held as a Zoom webinar hosted by UNLV on Thursday, June 23, 2022, from 7 – 8:45 pm. CLICK HERE to register for this free online event.

Panel participants include:

• Matthew Leivas, Sr., Salt Song singer, Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, CA

• Ashley Hemmers, Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, CA/AZ/NV

• Barbara Durham, Tribal Elder, Timbisha Shoshone, CA

• Melissa Nelson, President Emerita, The Cultural Conservancy

• Phillip Klasky, Lecturer at the Department of American Indian Studies, San Francisco State and Mojave Project contributor

• Michael Madrigal, Cahuilla Band of Mission Indians, CA, Board President of the NALC will act as panel moderator.

The Mojave Desert is undergoing profound physical transformation due to human activity. The Mojave Project illuminates how human activities affect wildlife habitat, ecosystems, and our quality of life throughout this arid bioregion. Understanding what is at stake is crucial to transition to a sustainable future for all living organisms. To do so, we must delve into the history of regional land use, including that of the Mojave’s Indigenous Peoples and others previously underrepresented.

The four scheduled webinars coincide with The Mojave Project exhibition at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and bring together a variety of voices and perspectives, including Indigenous culture bearers, scholars, researchers, artists and activists from the Mojave Desert bioregion spanning California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. This free-to-the-public webinar series educates audiences by generating impactful conversation. Please join us by registering below. Note that you will need to register for each webinar program separately.

Each panel discussion focuses on a Mojave Project theme to prompt dialog and conversation.