In the context of a historically complex and increasingly globalized world, diverse socio-cultural exchanges are becoming more prevalent and sensitive. As a result, the cultural appropriation-appreciation controversy is gaining momentum, creating social division and friction instead of uniting people via genuine interests and mutual care. Thus, this thesis aims to investigate how the notion of culture shapes perceptions of cultural appropriation or cultural appreciation in order to provide better insight as to the complexities surrounding socio-cultural interaction. The focus of this inquiry is centered on first establishing definitions of the terms cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, unlocking their contexts and respective social connotations. With these contextualized terminologies in the forefront, this thesis bridges the abstract and real world via examining if and how the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians qualify as a (contextual) success story of cultural exchange. Provided that this is the case, further insights as to developing intercultural dialogue will also be investigated. After a brief introduction, the literature review in which Ferracioli and Shpall’s (2024) frameworks of Cultural Ownership and Core Interests, in addition to my own theoretical compromise, act as a backdrop foregrounding the aforementioned case study. The subsequent notions of culture, static, fluid, and amorphous are then evaluated in accordance with their relevant theories: multiculturalism and intersectionality; interculturalism and convivialities; and Mansouri and Modood’s (2021) intercultural-multicultural model. The methods of choice are historical research and thematic analysis. Post analysis reveals that there are circumstances of mutual cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, therefore debunking the typically negative connotation surrounding the otherwise singular positions of the cultural appropriation-appreciation controversy. Further investigation into other intracultural and intercultural social dynamics would be fruitful in better understanding the relationship between the notion of culture and the cultural appropriation-appreciation controversy.