The Community Relations Events team put on a Native American Recognition Day (NARD) event on September 24 to celebrate other Native American tribes as well as the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC).

The Community celebrated NARD at different times of the day: at the Round House Café at lunchtime, and during the evening at the Two Waters Courtyard.

During the day, the Harkins Movie Theatre popcorn truck was parked outside Two Waters Courtyard, giving away 300 small bags of popcorn to customers, while DJ Tony Santo spun records inside the Round House Café. People enjoying a special pozole meal in the café for $9.50 were able to stop by Native American booths and demonstrators inside the café who were showcasing art and cultural items.

Toward sunset, Miss Salt River 2024-2025 Sialik King and her court opened the event with a prayer before introducing the Hontifko Dance Group (Hopi) and Nā Maoli O Nā Moku Polynesian Dance Group, who both performed as the sun was going down.

For dinner, the Community offered free tamales for adults and chicken strips for kids. As people walked down the sidewalk at the café, there was a vibrant artisan market set up on the way to the grassy area, where people could enjoy a special screening of the film Touch the Water, directed by Travis Holt Hamilton and starring Hopi actress Pershlie “Perci” Ami.

Adrian Sixkiller, Community Relations Events assistant, said that the highlight of the event was Hamilton and Ami sharing their time with Community members after the film to talk about it.  

“Travis told us that this was the only place in the world screening the movie that night,” said Sixkiller, who noted that the event went well and drew large crowds.

“Everyone kept talking to us about how they really enjoyed this year’s event. We think it was a success!”

In November, the SRPMIC will be celebrated on O’odham Piipaash Day.