The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs granted approval to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to set up tribal management on behalf of its members, according to an article in the June 30, 1939 edition of the Desert Sun.
The decision was made because of the small number of adult members who are concentrated within a relatively small area would allow frequent consultations between members on tribal business without undue hardship or delay.
Both government entities expressed their confidence that the self-interests of the individual tribal members would give way to the best interest of the Band as a whole as well as cooperative policy with the people of the city of Palm Springs.
Agreements between the individual members, the tribe, and the government regarding the right of the individual member of use and occupancy of a piece of tribal ground is recognized, which is confirmation of a custom on reservations for many years.
An executive committee was chosen consisting of Willie Marcus, chief; Marcus Pete, assistant chief; Lena Welmas, Flora Patencio, Romalda Taylor and Lee Arenas. Policing of the reservation was continued under the direction of Joe Welmas in cooperation with the Palm Springs Police Department.
There are a multitude of ways to Explore Palm Springs, which turned 75 in 2013.
One of the more intriguing methods is by exploring the city’s history.
The Palm Springs Historical Society will share a weekly story whose time and place corresponds with today.
The Palm Springs Historical Society is located at 221 S. Palm Canyon Drive.
Visit www.pshistoricalsociety.org for more information.
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