Indian Land Sign: The Art Installation That’s Turning Heads

Indian Land Sign: The Art Installation That’s Turning Heads

You can see the letters from the “Indian Land” sign from miles away in the desert of Coachella Valley.

The sign's resemblance to its counterpart 125 miles to the northwest is unmistakable, but this is much more than an indigenous take on The Hollywood Sign. 

Created by artist Nicholas Galanin, this installation is part of the Desert X 2021 exhibition.

Its goal: to call for the return of Native lands to the Cahuilla people.

While the sign reads “Indian Land,” the piece is actually titled “Never Forget,” to send a message to the country that “stolen lands must be returned.” 

Galanin is a Tlingit and Unangax̂ artist and musician who is also a philanthropist for Native American communities. Galanin goes above and beyond to ensure that titles can be transferred back to their rightful owners—the indigenous communities that once called them home. 

“The entertainment industry is here from the other Hollywoodland, so I was allowed to pick the place and challenge land ownership,” Galanin said in a recent interview. “[The Indian Land sign] is a brand new piece; it was constructed on-site in the desert. I hope it will travel to other locations after this that need attention, as it will have a different meaning in different spaces. I invite the viewer to participate in what this means.”

The Cahuilla people, who have lived in the Palm Springs area for thousands of years, have always referred to the area as Sec-he after the boiling water and hot mineral springs that reside there.

Galanin isn't planning on giving up on his endeavor any time soon and hopes others will support him in this movement to protect indigenous land. 

If you want to support Galanin, visit, share and donate to his GoFundMe page so that the Cahuilla tribe may get their land back. 

For a more complete visual of his amazing art installation, watch the YouTube video below.

'Indian Land' Art Installation Acknowledges Indigenous Land

Are you in the area of “Never Forget?” You can visit the Indian Land sign until July 6, 2021. 

The exact address of the Indian Land sign is located at: 2901 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, north of the Palm Springs Visitors Center at Tramway Road

Visit Nicholas Galanin’s professional site to view more inspiring and unique pieces of art, and follow him on Instagram to stay up-to-date on his latest and greatest.

Featured imaged credit: Desert X 

 

Last Updated on October 19, 2022 by Paul G


One Comment “Indian Land Sign: The Art Installation That’s Turning Heads”

  • Avatar for Running Doe

    osiyo wado for sharing natives take great pride and honor, in all their land that is the ay it should be always wado

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Find a Pow Wow
Near you

Search the US & Canada

What to expect
at your first Pow Wow

Sign Up for our Free E-newsletter