California Indian Nations College (CINC) announces their inaugural, annual Fire Gala to be held Friday, May 12, 2023, at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino and Spa, Cahuilla Ballroom.
College Trustees and guests will gather to celebrate CINC’s mission of offering a culturally responsive academic curriculum rooted in Native American values.
“We are celebrating our 2023 graduates, reconnecting with alumni, and commemorating this extraordinary educational doorway that is open to all,” said CINC board chair, Joel Kinnamon, Ph.D. He continued, “CINC’s educational opportunities are provided at no cost to all students, native or non-native, and we are deeply grateful for the commitment of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians and other donors & partners who make this possible!”
Guest speakers will include Federal District Judge Sunshine Sykes and Riverside County’s 5th District Supervisor, Manuel Perez. Notable guests will include leaders and council members of Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
With doors opening at 6:00pm, proceeds from the Fire Gala will assist the College to raise awareness and continue providing high-quality education. The Gala will begin with an appearance by Cahuilla Bird Singers and include a curated silent auction that includes a piece of framed artwork by 2023 Desert X contributor, Gerald Clarke.
Limited seating remains and only those with a pre-purchased ticket will be guaranteed admittance. For availability, please contact Sandra Morayla at smorayla@cincollege.org.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA INDIAN NATIONS COLLEGE
California Indian Nations College is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit, two-year college chartered by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. Serving students with culturally responsive personalized support, CINC also enrolls high school students, concurrently, for the benefit of college courses while still in high school. California’s high school graduation rate for Native Americans is 11.4% lower than the overall rate and the college-bound rates are 14.4% lower.
