Local tribal chairman named to California Native American Heritage Commission

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday the appointment of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians chairman of Palm Springs to the California Native American Heritage Commission.

Reid Milanovich has been the tribe's chairman since 2022. He previously served as Tribal Council Vice Chair, and from 2014 to 2019, he was a Tribal Council member.

Milanovich is the son of the late Agua Caliente Chairman Richard Milanovich. His father helmed the tribe, whose reservation checkerboards Palm Springs and the western Coachella Valley, for nearly 30 years, cementing his role as a leader in local and national tribal affairs, particularly in negotiations that expanded gaming opportunities for California tribes. He died in 2012.

Despite his father's long legacy, Milanovich told The Desert Sun in 2019 that he didn't develop an interest in the council until 2011, after moving back to Palm Springs as a recent college graduate. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from California Baptist University.

Milanovich decided to run for council in 2013, but his bid was unsuccessful. He became a tribal council member proxy, filling in when a council member was absent. After being named to the council in 2014, Milanovich later ran for vice chairman in October 2019 and received the popular vote from the general tribal membership.

Reid is one of six Milanovich siblings, including Sean, Scott, Travis, Tristan and Tammy.

His appointment requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation.

This story includes previous reporting from City News Service and former Desert Sun staffers Risa Johnson and Amanda Ulrich.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs tribal leader joins Native American Heritage Commission