People of the West: Red Power & Gaming Screening in Palm Desert
November 25 @ 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Free
California Indian Nations College presents a free screening of People of the West on Wednesday, November 25, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Oliphant Auditorium on California State University, San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus.
This double feature traces two moments in the exercise of tribal sovereignty, from Indigenous activists organizing on Alcatraz to the Cabazon Band’s challenge to California’s authority over gaming on tribal lands. Both episodes are part of a ten-part documentary series that examines California history through Native voices, interviews, and archival footage. Brad Munoa (Pechanga Band of Indians/Payómkawichum) created and executive produced the series.
November 25 agenda
- 3:00 p.m. — Opening acknowledgment followed by the first screening.
- Episode 8 — Red Power. The occupation of Alcatraz brings together Native activists from across the country and draws national attention to Indigenous rights and sovereignty.
- 10-minute intermission
- Episode 9 — Gaming. A dispute over a card room on the Cabazon Reservation reaches the U.S. Supreme Court, with consequences for tribal gaming and self-determination.
- Optional panel discussion after both screenings. The program is scheduled to end at 6:00 p.m.
Other screenings in the series
Each session is scheduled for 3:00–6:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
| Date | Episodes | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| November 4 | 2. Spanish Missions and 3. Gold Rush | CSUSB Palm Desert Campus |
| November 12 | 4. Genocide and 5. Reservations | CSUSB Palm Desert Campus |
| November 17 | 1. First Contact and 10. The Next Generation | Fox Cineplex is D’Place Theater, 60 W Ramsey St, Banning, CA 92220 |
| November 18 | 6. Boarding Schools and 7. The American Dream | CSUSB Palm Desert Campus |
The November 17 session in Banning has a separate RSVP page.
Audience and content advisory. The organizer lists the screening for ages 14 and up. The educational program is designed primarily for grades 9–12, community college, and university students. The series addresses sensitive subjects including colonization, genocide, forced relocation, boarding schools, and intergenerational trauma. Viewer discretion is advised.
November 25 venue
Richard and Janice Oliphant Auditorium, Mary Stuart Rogers Gateway Building
CSUSB Palm Desert Campus
37500 Cook Street, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Reserve a free seat on Eventbrite and select November 25 at 3:00 p.m.