The Tohono O'odham are a Native American tribe formerly known as the Papago who reside primarily in the Sonoran Desert. "Tohono O'odham" means "People of the Desert." Numbering about 20,000 people in 1993 the Tohono O'odham tribe gains most of its income from its two Desert Diamond casinos.

A sovereign nation residing on a small portion of its people's former lands, The Tohono O'odham Nation is organized into 11 districts. The main reservation is located between Tucson and Yuma, Arizona. A few of the districts are not contiguous with the main reservation: The San Xavier district, a square mile in southern Tucson, and Gila Bend (San Lucy) district, are two such districts.

Tohono O'odham live in both northern Mexico and southern Arizona. The Gadsden Purchase split the native lands in half. Tribal members often make the annual pilgrimage to Magdalena, Mexico, during St. Francis festivities.

San Xavier district is the location of a major tourist attraction in Tucson. San XavierMission San Xavier del Bac, the "White Dove of the Desert," built in 1783 under the auspices of Padre Eusebio Kino. It is open to the public on weekdays and Saturday. Founded in 1700 it is one of the many missions built in the southwest by the Spanish on their northern frontier. The San Xavier Fiesta is held in the evening of the Friday after Easter and features a torch-light procession of tribal members, a children's dance and booths. The mission is located in South Tucson.

Closely-related, the Phoenix-area "Akimel O'odham" (River People) share language and cultural roots. Debates surround tribal origins. Claims that the O'odham moved north as recently as 300 years ago compete with claims that the Hohokam, whose left the Casa Grande Ruins, are their true ancestors.

Each February, the Papago Rodeo and Parade is held in Sells. which includes a pow-wow, rodeo and numerous Miss Tohono O'odham contests. The rodeo has been an annual even for 80 years.

Over the past fifteen years, a cultural revitalization of traditional basket weaving, the native language, desert foods, and traditional games, have gained momentum. The Elder Danny Lopez and the NGO TOCA have been at the forefront of these movements.

External Links

• http://www.tocaonline.org/ (Tohono O'odham Community Action)
• http://www.srbs.bia.edu/ (Santa Rosa Day School)
• http://www.toua.net/ (Tohono O'odham utilities)