"Related Around the Mountain": Relational Sovereignty and Coalition Building in the California Interior.

The article delves into the historical meeting between Antonio Garra and Juan Antonio Chem'yuleqa Kústakik in 1851, as they sought to form an alliance against United States' settlement in California. It explores the diplomatic relations between the Cahuilla and Kúpangaxwicham nations, emphasizing their sovereignty and coalition-building efforts. The text also examines the impact of Spanish and Mexican colonization on the region, detailing how Indigenous nations navigated alliances and conflicts to maintain autonomy. Leaders like Garra and Kústakik strategically formed alliances with neighboring nations and colonial powers to protect their sovereignty, showcasing their resilience in the face of colonization. [Extracted from the article]