Gaining inspiration from the Cheyenne River Youth Project’s RedCan Graffiti Jam in South Dakota, Natasha Martinez created a Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community version of the popular event.

The Community’s first ever Echoes of the Akimel Festival was hosted by Youth Services and gave youth the opportunity to paint murals around the Community during March’s spring break. The festival was an exciting event that celebrated the connection between art and culture.

“In July 2024, we brought three of our youth through the program to experience Red Can firsthand,” said Martinez, who works for Youth Services, “after seeing how much it resonated with them – it felt exciting to think we could bring back that sort of energy back to Salt River.” 

            The Cheyenne River Youth Project is a nonprofit that works with Lakota youth and families. It celebrated RedCan’s 10^th year in 2024 on the Cheyenne River Reservation.

The Echoes of the Akimel Festival created a space where art, mentorship and culture came together to connect with the next generation of artists. “This festival was about giving them that opportunity, introducing them to mural work in a safe place where they could learn from experienced artists who understand their journey,” said Martinez. 

            From March 12-13, Community youth gathered to turn ordinary spaces into expressions of creativity and culture by painting murals. “It gave them the chance to create something lasting, something they could walk by and say, ‘I helped make that.’”

Murals can be seen at Dobson Heights, the E.C.S. Building across from the Way of Life Facility(WOLF), Red Mountain Neighborhood Community Center, Beeline Hwy Pit Stop and the Salt River Baseball Field.

            On the last day of the event, art, vendors, traditional singing and dancing, and open walls where all were welcomed to pick up a can of provided spray paint at the WOLF. APACHE Skateboards also ran demos at the skate park. In addition, SRPMIC departments were present, offering resources and crafts.

            “Beyond spray-painting techniques, this festival was about helping youth connect painting with culture and storytelling,” said Martinez. “Art has a way of bringing people together… murals foster a sense of identity and belonging, especially when the design reflects culture and stories that resonate withing our indigenous people. 

“Art is the way we share our culture, through song, dance, storytelling, weaving, painting and so much more.” 

Message from Natasha “Rezmo” Martinez 

Additional thank you to ACM Dawn Sinoqui and Public Works.

Also, thank you to Community Recreation Services, Human Health Services, Engineering and Construction Services & the Casey Foundation for providing guidance, space, materials and funding to display these murals.  

For our first year, we anticipated a few bumps here and there, but in the end, everyone’s help, dedication and love for youth and community made it thrive. From the very bottom of my heart, thank you to every artist, mentor, department, community member and supporter who made Echoes of the Akimel Mural Festival something truly special. Hopefully this is just the beginning.

Featured Echoes of the Akimel Festival artists:

Jeanette “Lady Rise” Rocha 

Alaina “Rogue” Pierce

Carrie “CC” Curley 

Thomas “Breezy” Marcus 

Douglas Miles 

Paul “Nox” Pablo

Tim “Ingen” Pasqual 

Vyal Reyes

Natasha “Rezmo” Martinez