The Chemehuevi of the Twenty-Nine Palms tribe of Southern California
stands as a testament to the power of perseverance. This small, nomadic
band of Southern Paiute Indians has been repeatedly marginalized by
European settlers, other Native groups, and, until now, historical
narratives that have all too often overlooked them.
Having survived much of the past two centuries without rights to their
homeland or any self-governing abilities, the Chemehuevi were a mostly
"forgotten" people until the creation of the Twenty-Nine Palms
Reservation in 1974. Since then, they have formed a tribal government
that addresses many of the same challenges faced by other tribes,
including preserving cultural identity and managing a thriving gaming
industry.
A dedicated historian who worked closely with the Chemehuevi for more
than a decade, Clifford Trafzer shows how this once-splintered tribe
persevered using sacred songs and other cultural practices to maintain
tribal identity during the long period when it lacked both a homeland
and autonomy. The Chemehuevi believe that their history and their
ancestors are always present, and Trafzer honors that belief through his
emphasis on individual and family stories. In doing so, he not only
sheds light on an overlooked tribe but also presents an important new
model for tribal history scholarship.
A Chemehuevi Song strikes the difficult balance of placing a
community-driven research agenda within the latest currents of
indigenous studies scholarship. Chemehuevi voices, both past and
present, are used to narrate the story of the tribe's tireless efforts
to gain recognition and autonomy. The end result is a song of
resilience.
