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The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is a sovereign tribe in Arizona with 8,700 registered members and 53,600 acres of land. It has a diverse economy, including agriculture, commercial development, and a telecommunications company, casino, resort, and spa. The community is governed by a president, vice president, and tribal council, and has its own court system, correctional facility, and fire department. The tribes have distinct cultural and linguistic backgrounds and are known for their basket weaving and pottery. The community’s symbol is the man in the maze, representing the journey of life.
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian community borders the cities of Scottsdale, Mesa, and Fountain Hills, Arizona. Members of the Pima and Maricopa Native American tribes live in the community created by an executive order of the President of the United States, issued on June 14, 1879. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community consists of 53,600 acres (21,691 ha), of including 19,000 acres (7,698 hectares) of nature reserve.
A sovereign tribe, the Pima-Maricopa Indian community has approximately 8,700 registered members. Half of the community’s population is under the age of 18. Approximately 12,000 acres (4,856 hectares) of the community are under cultivation. Crops include cotton, melons and carrots.
The commercial development is located on the western side of the community. Businesses include a golf club, a bank, and the 1.1 million-square-foot (102,193-square-meter) Scottsdale Pavilions mall. The tribe also has a telecommunications company, casino, resort and spa.
The tribes that make up the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community have two distinct cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The Pimas call themselves Akimel Au-Authm, which translates to River People. The Maricopa call themselves Xalychidom Piipaash, which translates to people who live towards the water.
According to legend, the Pima were descended from the Hohokam, who had a civilization in Arizona more than 2,000 years ago. Living in the Salt River Valley, the Hohokams created a canal irrigation system that has been modernized and is still in use. The Pima are known for making intricately woven watertight baskets.
The Maricopa tribe lived in small groups along the Gila and Colorado rivers. Moving to the Pima villages in the early 1800s, the Maricopa established a friendly relationship with the tribe. The Maricopa used the red clay to create pottery, an art form that can be seen in the community’s Hoo-hoogam Ki Museum.
The man in the maze is important to the traditional beliefs of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian community, and the symbol can be found on the tribe’s seal. The symbol represents the older brother who is about to enter the labyrinth which is the symbol of life. In the center of the labyrinth is the sun god, who will greet his older brother and welcome him to the other world.
A president, vice president, and tribal council are elected to govern the community. Government departments include community development, education and policing. The community also has its own court system, correctional facility, and fire department. The community newspaper is Au-Authm Action News.
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