Springtime Piipaash Matasheevm Honors the People

By Juan Ysaguirre

Friday – Piipaash Matasheevm

In the heart of Lehi, also known by the people as God’s Country, the springtime Piipaash Matasheevm (People’s Gathering) was a two-day celebration held on April 4 and 5 that saw many singers, dancers, and royalty from Indian Country help celebrate Piipaash culture and traditions.

The annual gathering of Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community membership in the Lehi district meets twice a year, in spring and the fall seasons, usually in April and October. The event was put together by the Piipaash Matasheevm Committee (PMC). Additionally, the PMC receives support from Community volunteers, SRPMIC departments and employees, enterprises, Community owned businesses, as well as Council to ensure a wonderful time for all who attend the celebration.

On the first day of Piipaash Matasheevm, SRPMIC Council member Deanna Scabby welcomed all in attendance and shared her appreciation to the PMC for their hard work in putting together the celebration. “I just wanted to acknowledge each and every one of you for being here because this is a special day. It’s a time we can celebrate as a people, relatives and family.”

Scabby shared that one of her favorite moments during Piipaash Matasheevm is to hear the songs performed throughout the celebration. “These songs are so powerful, they are grounded in the roots of where we come from and who we are,” she said.

Council member Michael Dallas Sr. was absent and excused from the day 1 festivities, as he tended to an unexpected family emergency. Scabby asked for blessings to be provided to him and his family. Dallas was present for Saturday’s day-long celebration.

This year’s Piipaash Matasheevm saw emcee duties shared by Jeremiah Shaw and Tyrone Emerson, Jr.Garfield Nish, a mainstay of every Piipaash Matasheevm, usually serves as emcee for the event, along with Pacer Reina. Unfortunately, Nish was not in attendance for the springtime Piipaash Matasheevm as he was under the weather and needed time to rest. Reina would join Shaw and Emerson throughout the springtime Piipaash Matasheevm, with the trio sharing their fair share of humorous jokes across both days.

“How come a cow wears a bell?” asked Shaw to Emerson. After he shrugged and asked why, Shaw revealed the punchline. “Because their horns don’t work,” he said as the crowd let out a collective laugh.

Throughout the Friday night festivities, Shaw would describe how impactful being around relatives means to him. “Every year, I look forward to coming here to share songs and see people I haven’t seen in either many months or many years,” he said. “It’s always a great feeling. Just to be here and to see that everyone’s okay, fine, healthy and they’re living life. It makes you proud to be who you are.”

In between his emcee duties, Shaw would in fact see many relatives near and far and provided each with giant hugs.

Friday’s performances of singing and dancing went on through the night at the Lehi Gathering Area. Jr. Miss and Miss SRPMIC royalties were in attendance and made sure to greet everyone following dinner. Friday night’s Piipaash Matasheevm also saw Miss Salt River First Attendant Zoe Hernandez and a new skill she recently learned.

A student at Arizona State University, Hernandez smiled from ear to ear as she detailed her new skill, speaking in Piipaash. “I have recently learned how to do my introduction in Piipaash, this is one of the first times I get to share it in the Community,” she said. Moments later, Hernandez received a rousing round of applause from the people.

Saturday – Piipaash Matasheevm

On day 2, the Piipaash Matasheevm began with a community walk which started at the intersection of Stapley and Oak streets. Members of the Young River People Council were in attendance to host the morning event.

After everyone completed the morning walk, Miss Salt River Royalty hosted the Tiny Tots special as well as additional O’odham songs and dancing.

This year’s singers and performers contained many favorites. The roster included: Aarick Mack, Roland Golding, Alonso Pesado, Lynwood Vest, and many more. When it was time for Golding to perform, Jeremiah Shaw introduced him as “the Golden standard.”

Then, it was time to honor the Community elders who have paved the way for all in the Community to continue to share songs and dance with one another. This year’s Piipaash Matasheevm elder honorees were Earl and Carolyn Stacey, the original founders of the “Spiritual Gathering of the Gourds” which was held at the Lehi ball field starting in 1998.

“We just wanted to honor them with this and to thank them for all they’ve done,” said Council member Dallas before the honoring.

Shiela Romero served as the official spokesperson for Earl and Carolyn Stacey and recited words from a prepared speech she brought along with her. Carolyn Stacey is Romero’s grandmother.

“She was instrumental in making tribal per capita a reality,” said Romero. “She helped pass the petitions along with her reform group. She and Earl also assisted with AA (alcoholics anonymous) meetings.”

Romero then mentioned a fan favorite event that Stacey helped create, Midnight Madness, a Community-wide yard sale which featured chicken scratch music, food vendor booths and more. As soon as Romero mentioned Midnight Madness, loud cheers from the people were heard as many recall the event.

As she neared the end of her speech, Romero reiterated that she and her family are appreciative that SRPMIC has continued to hold gatherings in Lehi. “This is a safe space for you and your families to come, there should be no complications here.”

Earl Stacey was then showered with commemorative gifts as he posed for photos and received hugs from family members, as well as from SRPMIC tribal council.

Afterwards, Earl and Carolyn Stacey were honored as Bird singers performed a ceremonial song. “Hearing everyone sing, honoring Earl and Carolyn and how it falls into what we all have today, this makes me happy,” said Shaw as he and the singers got into their respective places to sing the honoring song.

The honors continued as the Piipaash Matasheevm Committee also commemorated and honored four Community Veterans. Burnett Gates, Denette Washington, Duane Washington and Gordon Wood were recognized and celebrated for their service to our country and to their Community.

Family members of all four servicemen gathered in the Lehi Gathering Area as each family sent a designated speaker to share the family’s appreciation.

Davonna Gates, daughter to Burnett, spoke on behalf of her father and family. “My sisters and I would like to thank the Piipaash Matasheevm Committee for honoring our father in this year’s Veteran recognition,” she said. “It is truly an honor,” she said as she shared heartful memories of her father. “As kids, he would start to crease our clothes and also taught us how to spit shine our shoes,” she said with a smile.

Dean Washington, grandson of Denette Washington, spoke on behalf of his grandfather. “I remember him being there at countless baseball games of mine, and him being at the games for my sisters,” he began. “I remember he’d pick me up from school on Friday’s and made sure I ate,” said Washington. “I really do thank that man for being the foundation of the Washington family.”

Duane Washington’s son in law, Rory Thomas, showed heartfelt emotions as he accepted the award on Duane’s behalf. “Denette and Duane were brothers,” he said. “I knew that from being married to my wife, Deana. We spent 43 years together, then I came to understand why he [Duane] didn’t like me. I took away his little girl,” he said, fighting back tears.

Sadly, Deana passed away days after the Piipaash Matasheevm Committee asked her if she would be willing to accept the award on behalf of her late father.

Emily King then spoke a few words regarding Gordon Wood. “I’m one of the foster children of Gordon Wallace Wood. I stand before you on behalf of the family.”

Direct members of the Wood family were not in attendance due to a family emergency. King asked for blessings to be provided to the family.

“Family is so important, if it wasn’t for family, who would we be?” she asked. “I am very proud to call him dad and to know he went and served,” said King, fighting back emotions.

The honoring’s concluded as the four families were then provided a ceremonial song.

The songs, dances, and performances held during this year’s two-day Piipaash Matasheevm were truly a delight to all the senses. The emotionally charged honoring’s of Community Veterans and Elders provided all attendees with a closer sense of Community during these amplified times of uncertainty.

The celebration was almost forced to end early Saturday night due to a massive dust storm, however, the storm passed, and the singing and dancing continued until the midnight hour. A late-night arrival by 2024-2025 Miss Indian World, Kassie John (Diné), added to the nights festive end.

While the Piipaash Matasheevm has come to a close, plans are already underway for October’s Community Social, which will continue to celebrate the culture, language and histories of the Piipaash peoples.

Piipaash Matasheevm Committee Thank You’s

Council

Administration

Public Works

Miss Salt River & Pageant Committee

Young River People’s Council

Community Relations

Veterans Program

Day Work Program

Police & Fire

Cultural Resources

Transportation