AGUA CALIENTE CULTRAL MUSEUM PRESENTS TWO FREE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS IN DECEMBER

PALM SPRINGS, CA – November , 2006: The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum is pleased to announce an exciting lineup of educational programming in the month of December.

‘Oral Histories of Cahuilla Culture,’ the third Spirit Keepers lecture of the season, will take place on Wednesday, December 6, beginning at 6:30 PM.

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum (ACCM) has an on-going project to record oral histories from the Cahuilla community and surrounding desert/mountain areas. A Bureau of Land Management grant has also enabled ACCM to focus on specific topics related to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. This lecture, presented by Dawn Wellman, Assistant Curator, will focus on how oral histories can help preserve cultural and family histories. The lecture is free to the public, and will be held at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, 47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260.

The Spirit Keepers program, which consists of several lectures exploring Native American history and tradition, focuses on tribes in our immediate area and in the Western United States.

Also in December, beginning at 10:30 AM on Saturday the 9th, ACCM will offer a “Preserving the Spirit” class on the Junior Tribal Ranger program. Bring the kids out to enjoy this free cultural presentation on the Cahuilla Indians. The class will include replicated cultural items, activities, and a discussion on local animals and habitats. The class will be held at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, 219 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs.

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum inspires people to learn about the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and other Native cultures. It keeps the spirit alive through exhibitions, collections, research, and educational programs. The Education Department also offers free classroom visits and canyon hikes for school groups. Free Museum tours are also available to school groups, not-for-profit organizations, and civic groups.

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum is located at 219 South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. The Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM. Admission is free. For more information or to pre-register for the Preserving the Spirit class, please call 760/778-1079 ext. 113 or visit www.accmuseum.org.