Indigenous Homelands

Past and Present

Puma Canyon Ecological Reserve, the West Mojave Wildlife Management Areas and Portal Ridge Wildlife Preserve are located within the homelands of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (Serrano) and Portal Ridge Wildlife Preserve is located within the homelands of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (Tataviam).

The Serrano People

  • Coming Soon!

  • More information coming soon!

A member of the Tataviam performs a ceremonial dance to educate people on the cultural practices of the tribe.

The Tataviam People

  • “Transition Habitat Conservancy recognizes and acknowledges the first people of this ancestral and unceded territory of Tochaburanga that is now occupied by our Transition Habitat Conservancy; honors their elders, past and present, and the descendants who are citizens of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. We recognize that the tribe is still here and we are committed to lifting up their stories, culture, and community.”

  • More information coming soon!

    Learn More About the Tataviam Here

This map shows the tribes that have heritage across the Western Mojave Desert. They include the Paiute, Nuwa, Nuwu, Kitanemuk, Tataviam, Serrano, and Vanyume.