Anthony Purnel, vice chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, was recently featured on a Disney TV special with “Live with Kelly and Mark” co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.
The segment, which featured Purnel leading Ripa and Consuelos through a tour of Indian Canyons in Palm Springs, was part of Disney Entertainment Television’s multiplatform broadcast for the United States’ 250th anniversary called “Disney Celebrates America 250.” The tribe announced the segment in a July 16 Instagram post that read “We are proud to share that Tribal Vice Chairman Anthony W. Purnel is featured in Disney’s “Celebrates America 250: Postcards from the Desert,” highlighting the rich history and culture of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians … Thank you to Disney, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos for shining a light on our story and our people.”
“So, this is one of the most beautiful places on earth — Indian Canyon,” Ripa said while taking a hike with Purnel and Consuelos in the segment.
Ripa and Consuelos met Purnel along the Andreas Canyon Trail to learn about the area’s cultural significance. They also enjoyed a stroll through Palm Canyon.
“My family and our people lived in these canyons for thousands of years living off the land, living with the animals and the plants here and thriving in this environment,” Purnel said during the segment.
How to watch Disney’s 250 special
Want to watch the segment in full? You can stream “Disney Celebrates America 250” now on Hulu and Disney+.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos tour Indian Canyons in new Disney special
Reporting by Ani Gasparyan, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ani Gasparyan, Palm Springs Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network
