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 (Maara’yam) and Portal Ridge Wildlife Preserve is located within the homelands of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (Tataviam).

The Maara’yam People

  • Transition Habitat Conservancy acknowledges that the Puma Canyon Ecological Reserve, Portal Ridge Wildlife Preserve, and the West Mojave Wildlife Management Areas are sited on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Maara’yam, commonly referred to as the Serrano People. Our histories and stories are intertwined in this space, and by sharing them in culturally appropriate ways, we hope to honor and celebrate our Indigenous neighbors and partners.

  • Transition Habitat Conservancy partnered with the Garden ARt Project the Maara'yam (Serrano), also known as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, to activate public spaces with stories and images of plants with significant cultural meaning. Through this digital seed bank, community ties are strengthened for our shared future. 

    “The project honors and celebrates the ongoing stewardship of Indigenous communities, and seeks to facilitate community engagement that centers the primary source experiences, histories, and stories generated within Indigenous Communities.”   

    Learn more about the Project here!

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.

  • We are working with the Tataviam Land Conservancy in order to provide land management training and share management resources.

    Learn more about the Tataviam People 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.