Indian Country was definitely in attendance for Westwood High School’s varsity football home opener against Skyline High School on September 6. To help celebrate the new season, Westwood’s athletic department collaborated with Mesa Schools’ Native American Education Program (NAEP) to host Native Heritage Football Night. The game marked the debut...

Adaptive Recreation Program coordinators Tammy Thomas and Ethan Larned from Community Recreational Services took turns making laps across the Way of Life Facility’s little league field on September 6 during the program’s Adaptive Recreation Night to make sure participating kids and families had everything they needed to participate in the...

With the new school year upon us, Salt River Schools hosted its annual fun-filled literacy event, “Fall into Reading.” The family-friendly, all-ages event was held on September 12 at the Accelerated Learning Academy gymnasium. The occasion allows students and Salt River Schools staff members to dress up as their favorite...

A one-day bus tour of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) took place on Saturday, August 17, marking a significant step in fostering stronger ties between Salt River Schools educators and our tribal Community. Organized by Community member Heaven Sepulveda, this initiative brought together 27 volunteers, including SRPMIC members...

Before the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Council meeting on August 28, American Red Cross community volunteer leader Craig Rhodes pulled up to the roundabout outside the Council Chambers in a co-branded Red Cross/ SRPMIC mission response disaster relief van. The message “Proud supporter of the American Red Cross —...

“Whether we are management or support staff, we must make sure we are getting the correct message across,” began Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Health Educator Melanie Nosie, LMSW, in a July 27 webinar on communication in the workplace. More than 100 people participated in the webinar presentation, titled “Effective...

Community Health Educators Melanie Nosie and Vurlene Notsinneh-Bowekaty from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Health and Human Services Department are gearing up for the upcoming Glow Walk on October 8.  “We are in our 13th year,” said Notsinneh-Bowekaty. The annual Glow Walk began in 2011 after a tragic suicide...

“None of us were given a manual when we became parents,” began Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Health and Human Services Community Health Educator Vurlene Notsinneh-Bowekaty on August 6, as she hosted a webinar about helicopter parenting. About 100 people attended. “Helicopter parenting” is a term that describes when parents...