Four hundred guests attended the 2011 Dinner in the Canyons held under the stars in the magnificent palm oasis of Andreas Canyon – an ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Proceeds from this annual fundraising event help fund Museum exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural festivals that now serve over 18,000 adults and children each year.
Following a cocktail reception with flautist Ralph Torres playing Native melodies that filled the air overlooking the scenic Valley landscape below, the dinner program opened with songs presented by the White Rose Singers, who were introduced by their group leader and sponsor Josie Montes.
The first all-female hand drum group at Sherman Indian High School in Riverside, California, members of White Rose Singers represent many different tribal communities, primarily of the West, and each member makes her own drum. In describing their mission as a performing ensemble, Ms. Montes commented, “Through the singing of social songs, the singers seek to be a positive influence and bring a positive outlook on their traditions and the love they put into their drums.”
This gala event honored Richard M. Milanovich, Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for 28 years and “champion” of Agua Caliente Cultural Museum since its inception.
Introducing a special video tribute honoring Chairman Milanovich, Museum Board Chairwoman Millie Browne commented, “Tonight, the Museum pays tribute to you, Richard. Your vision, leadership, and encouragement have helped establish our ‘small-but-mighty’ Museum as an important and respected cultural and educational institution. And we thank you for what you continue to do in helping us realize our shared vision of a new and expanded home for Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. So, for a few moments, I invite you to allow us on this special occasion to express our love, admiration, and appreciation for all that you are for us…and all you continue to accomplish for the Museum, the Tribe, and our community.” (Click here to view a gallery of photos from the evening.)
In addition to serving in leadership capacities on Tribal Council for more than 30 years, Chairman Milanovich was acknowledged for his active involvement with the Museum from its inception. He chaired the organizing committee, worked to establish the Museum as a not-for-profit institution in 1991, chaired and attended Dinner in the Canyons and other Museum events, and served on numerous working committees. In more recent years, he convened meetings with Museum professionals and architects to help conceptualize, plan, and design the 110,000-square-foot Museum facility to be located on historic Section 14 in downtown Palm Springs.
In honor of Chairman Milanovich, Executive Director Michael Hammond and Board Chairwoman Millie Browne presented to members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians a painting commissioned by the Museum of an all-woman Tribal Council of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The portrait was painted by local artist James Toenjes, a longtime friend of the Tribe and the Museum.
In receiving this gift for the Tribe, the Chairman spoke of the many important accomplishments of this distinguished group of Tribal leaders, his mother LaVerne Saubel Milanovich among them, that will forever guide and benefit him, the Tribe and communities of the Coachella Valley. Also in the painting is Elizabeth Pete Monk, mother of Museum Chairwoman Millie Browne.
The evening concluded with a spectacular performance by Academy Award® winner Buffy Sainte-Marie.
Born at the Piapot (Cree) Reserve in Saskatchewan, Academy Award winner Buffy Sainte-Marie became famous in the early 1960s for both love songs and protest songs. Her first album, It’s My Way, earned her the Billboard Magazine award for Best New Artist. Her newest album Up Where We Belong received the 1997 JUNO Award for Best Music of Aboriginal Canada and the lead song performed at Dinner in the Canyons won her an Academy Award in 1991.
Buffy lives in Hawaii and commutes to continental North America several times a year where she teaches digital art and music as Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts at several colleges. She is founder of the Nihewan Foundation for American Indian Education, whose Cradleboard Teaching Project facilitates communication among Native American and mainstream children in Canada and the United States through the use of computer technology and a progressive Native Studies curriculum. Recently, she was inducted as an Officer of the Order of Canada – the highest civilian honor Canada can bestow.
Native-inspired cuisine featured for the evening was reflected in the menu below.
We invite you to mark your calendar for the 2012 Dinner in the Canyons that will be held on Saturday, October 13. Save the date and plan to join us for another magical evening of Native-inspired culture, artistry, and delicious cuisine under the stars in beautiful Andreas Canyon.
2011 SPONSORS
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum gratefully acknowledges the generosity of those who sponsored the 2011 Dinner in the Canyons.
Eagle Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
In-Kind Sponsors
| © 2006 Agua Caliente Cultural Museum | |
