Members of activist and land protector groups came together at the Salt River Ballfields parking lot in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community on Aug. 11 to gather and take donations to the Tohono O’odham Nation.

The nation is experiencing an ongoing legal battle with the Trump administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which are moving forward with building a 62-mile border wall across their sovereign traditional lands.

T.O.N. leadership is currently consulting with their legal team to determine what can be done to deescalate the situation, remove unauthorized individuals from their land and move forward with appropriate legal filings.

In a public service announcement on Aug. 25, the T.O.N. said armed federal agents and contractors entered T.O.N. land illegally, stating that tribal members should remain vigilant, avoid escalation and prioritize personal safety.

“Protectors on the line, protect the land, protect the people. O’odham strong!” T.O.N. Chairman Verlon Jose said on Aug. 10.

To address the situation, T.O.N. tribal members like Amy Juan are taking this personally and spreading the word to relatives and allies.

“A ceremonial fire was lit today at Koli Ki:jig (San Miguel Gate) by the Hemajkam for the next four days and nights,” Juan posted to her Facebook page on Aug. 9.

“We scouted the entire border, made observations and briefly met with Chairman Jose. We have his support to assist in holding prayer for the land and people.”

Koli Ki:jig is a gate at the modern U.S.-Mexico border at the Tohono O’odham Nation where members of the nation historically can cross the international boundary freely. The donations are specifically for the Tadai Me:I (Road Runner Fire) Prayer Camp at Koli Ki:jig.

Juan also requested help with donations of supplies such as banners, plyboard signs, food, water, ice, Gatorade, canopies, camping chairs and wood.

“We were told, ‘If you’re waiting for the Nation to save you, you’ll be waiting forever. So do what is needed and what the government can’t do’. So, we do what we do best. We pray and we be with the land, to protect her as she does us,” Juan said in her post.

“To those who have fear in your hearts, what is there to be afraid of? Be more afraid of losing a vital piece of who we are.”

Members of the grassroots land protector group O’odham Solidarity, Hòzhò Protectors and the American Indian Movement (AIM) chapter of Central Arizona answered the call to collect donated items. One by one, cars lined up to unload goods at the Salt River Ballfields.

Matilda Martinez lives in the SRPMIC. She is a co-founder of Hòzhò Protectors, which began about a year ago to spread awareness about land protection.

“I feel the need personally to be out here for the O’odham, the T.O.N., because of what’s happening. We have a member from our group who is from that area, and she is telling us what they are going through,” said Martinez.

“It’s really horrible, the Border Patrol and how they’re treating people down there. My heart goes out to them.”

Edwina Francisco and her 10-year-old daughter Mia Ackerman are both Tohono O’odham and Navajo. Francisco had difficulty holding back tears as she talked with O’odham Action News about why she donated.

“This hits home. This hits the heart of where my grandpa Tony Francisco originated in Topawa, Arizona,” Francisco said.

“Just miles away from the border, growing up, I spent a lot of time down south and I remember crossing over the Mexico border and seeing my family doing some sort of exchange. The exchange wasn’t negative [as some might think]. It was more the families on the Mexico side and the O’odham side trying to make ends meet and provide for their families.”

Donating to the cause in person sets an example for her daughter, according to Francisco. She pointed on the map to Ackerman where the crisis is happening.

“This is a huge example for her. I talk to her about the issues that are going on right now in today’s world, and it’s not good. It’s definitely not good, because it’s reached home for us,” said Francisco.

“I want her to know it’s going to affect our family. This is happening and it’s real. It shouldn’t be happening, but it’s happening.”

Another donation collection for the prayer camp occurred on Sept. 10 at the Salt River Ballfields parking lot. This time, items such as beans, flour, rice, small pillows, cots, and electrolyte packets were specifically requested.

This is a developing story with updates occurring to the situation daily. O’odham Action News will continue reporting on this topic.