The Ya’i Heki’ Regional Indian Museum

The Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum

The Ya’i Heki’ Regional Indian Museum tells the story of the monumental State Water Project, and focuses on the culture and history of the native peoples of the southern California desert region. The museum is open the public on Wednesdays and weekends.

Lake Perris is an artificial lake completed in 1973. It is the southern terminus of the California State Water Project  situated in a mountain-rimmed valley between Moreno Valley, and city of Perris in what is now the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. The park offers a variety of recreational activities. Because of this and the lake’s proximity to major population centers, it is very crowded during the summer months.
Lake Perris opened in 1973 as a part of the State Park System. It greatly affected Moreno Valley and Perris growth and incorporation. When the park opened, it boasted a huge variety of amenities, including a water slide. The slide, closed years ago, has fallen into disrepair and is being removed.
Ya’i Heki’ (pronounced yahee ehkey) is translated from the Cahuilla language meaning “Home of the Wind”. This museum is one of a series of regional museums funded by the State of California.
It provides a comprehensive interpretation of Native American history, the cultures of the various native tribes throughout the southern California desert region and provides an educational experience into the cultures of the Indigenous peoples of the southern California deserts.