S’he:kig Vecij ‘Ahidag!

(“Happy New Year” in O’odham)

Mataam Mpisxaayk Nyshnyaash Xotk

(“New Year’s Day Is Good” in Piipaash)

Discover Salt River, the tourism division of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, invited Community partners to Great Wolf Lodge on June 9 for their annual meeting and Salt River New Year celebration.

The event marks the beginning of the O’odham New Year, or Ha:șañ Bahidag Mașad (“saguaro fruit harvest moon” in O’odham), which occurs in June during summer solstice. In Piipaash, this month is called Xly’a Xamxuk, or “sixth moon.”

3 Takeaways:

• The Salt River New Year celebration at Great Wolf Lodge had a dual purpose: celebrating the O’odham New Year and gathering with Community tourism partners.
• Discover Salt River and the Arizona Office of Tourism gave presentations on highlights from 2025.
• Huhugam Ki: Museum Manager Gary Owens brought mesquite-flour cookies for guests to try during a presentation on harvesting during the O’odham New Year.

During the O’odham New Year, mesquite beans, palo verde seeds, ironwood seeds, cattail and willow are ready to begin harvesting.

With the O’odham New Year approaching, it was also time for the Community to reconnect with its tourism partners.

“It was a privilege to gather with partners and reflect on our shared journey this past year,” said Discover Salt River Tourism Manager Maleena Deer.

Deer and guest presenter Kiva Couchon, Arizona Office of Tourism director of strategic initiatives, delivered recaps from both offices with highlights and insights into industry trends from 2025.

Deer highlighted new presentations, cultural sensitivity trainings, festivals, social media giveaways and a new interactive website that allows you to take a photo of a QR code on a poster and view the video inside the poster from your phone.

According to Couchon, in 2025, Arizona ranked fifth out of the 50 states in international visitation. The AOT forecasts an 8.5% growth in international visits from 2019 to 2030. Couchon also highlighted new marketing personas and campaigns that were rolled out over the past year.

Gary Owens, manager of the Huhugam Ki: Museum, gave a closing presentation which went into further detail about traditional harvesting during the O’odham New Year. Owens gave a lesson on the different types of mesquite trees you might see out around the Community. He brought mesquite-flour cookies for guests to try after finishing their buffet-style lunch.

Community member-owned business Pretty Party Planners provided the table decorations.