Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs tours Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians economic development projects

Press Release

COACHELLA, Calif. – The Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland, joined by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Ken Bellmard, toured economic development projects led by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians to highlight investments and initiatives creating thousands of jobs across the Coachella Valley and greater Riverside County. The projects demonstrate the impact of tribal-led development supported by funding and regulatory assistance under the Trump administration.

Kirkland and Bellmard, accompanied by Tribal Chairman Darrell Mike, visited several sites highlighting the tribe’s ongoing economic development efforts, including Spotlight 29 Casino and Thermal Airport, and inspected locations designated for advanced manufacturing and expanded power generation.

The tour included a visit to Thermal Airport, home to Coulson Aviation’s Air Attack wildfire protection operation, as well as sites demonstrating the tribe’s potential to expand energy infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. These projects reflect the tribe’s efforts to strengthen the regional economy, create jobs and expand opportunities for surrounding communities.

“Today’s visit showcases what is possible with increased economic ties and coordination between the Trump Administration and tribal communities,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland. “The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians are fueling growth and opportunity across Riverside County and Southern California, and the administration and my office look forward to continuing to support and champion those efforts.”

“We were honored to host Assistant Secretary Kirkland today and show him some of the important work the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians is engaged in,” said Chairman Darrell Mike. “We appreciate all the support the administration has shown towards our efforts to expand economic growth and opportunity not only within the tribe’s reservation boundaries, but also our neighboring regions, and I look forward to strengthening and deepening those ties.”

The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized tribe of Chemehuevi people with ancestral roots in the Oasis of Mara near present-day Twentynine Palms, California. The tribe’s reservation lands span areas in Twentynine Palms in San Bernardino County and Indio and Coachella in Riverside County, reflecting its longstanding ties to the region.

The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs advises the Secretary of the Interior on Indian Affairs policy issues; communicates policy to and oversees the programs of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration; provides leadership in consultations with tribes; and serves as the DOI official for intra- and inter-departmental coordination and liaison within the Executive Branch on matters concerning American Indians and Alaska Natives and the federally recognized Tribes in the United States.

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