Top Stories
SRPMIC Member Becomes IFBB Bikini Professional Bodybuilder
Leanne “Aimee” Velasquez, a 27-year-old Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member, was working as a registered nurse when she decided to change up her routine of going to the gym in February 2020. Feeling intimidated and lost, she hired a fitness coach to help her get a new routine down. Her coach turned out to […]
SRPMIC Member Becomes IFBB Bikini Professional Bodybuilder
Leanne “Aimee” Velasquez, a 27-year-old Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member, was working as a registered nurse when she decided to change up her routine of going to the gym in February 2020. Feeling intimidated and lost, she hired a fitness coach to help her get a new routine down. Her coach turned out to […]
Kennise McGertt Continues Flag Tossing with ASU Marching Band
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member Kennise McGertt has had quite an adventure since graduating from Mountain View High School in May. McGertt traveled to more than 20 states while on tour with the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps over the summer. When she returned in mid-August, she began her first year of college, attending […]
Harvesting the Fruit of the Prickly Pear
The O’odham and Piipaash people traditionally collected many indigenous plants in the Sonoran Desert. Many people continue to go out today and collect them when they are in bloom. The fruit of the prickly pear cactus, I:ibhai in O’odham, is one of the best traditional foods to collect from the summer through the beginning of […]
Jacob Butler Becomes Chair of Native Seeds/SEARCH
After serving on the board of Native Seeds/SEARCH since 2017, Community Garden Coordinator Jacob Butler will now serve as chair of the board for the nonprofit seed-conservation organization based in Tucson. Butler has a big presence in the Community, having served as Community garden coordinator for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for 16 years. […]
Recent Stories
Pickleball Finds a Home in the SRPMIC
You’ve heard of pickle slushies, a favorite local crushed-ice treat using pickle juice as the syrup. But have you heard about pickleball? The fastest-growing sport in the United States has made its way to the Community. O’odham Action News talked with Community pickleballers to find out what the big dill…
Beau Burns Jr. Suits Up for SCC Fighting Artichokes
In sports, no matter if it’s a preseason or championship game, there usually is a winner and a loser. Coming into their game against the Glendale Community College Gauchos on Jan. 10, the Scottdale Community College Fighting Artichokes men’s basketball team had their work cut out for them, as GCC’s…
Pickleball Finds a Home in the SRPMIC
You’ve heard of pickle slushies, a favorite local crushed-ice treat using pickle juice as the syrup. But have you heard about pickleball? The fastest-growing sport in the United States has made its way to the Community. O’odham Action News talked with Community pickleballers to find out what the big dill…
Vaila and Soda Night with SRS Security
In the O’odham language, vaila or waila means dance. Vaila is also known by many as chicken scratch, a type of music and social dance that brings everyone together for a good time. For many Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community members and those of sibling tribes, vailas are significant throughout their whole lives. There…
No Clownin’ Around: Salt River Community Gaming Enterprises Hosts Recognition Celebration
Salt River Community Gaming Enterprises hosted its annual team member recognition luncheon on Feb. 2 with carnival games, caricature drawings, prizes, delicious food and the top enterprise awards of the year. 3 Takeaways: As the saying goes, when you work hard, you must also play hard. Every year, leaders of…
Young River People’s Council Participates in Legislative Day
During the annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day, several Arizona youth councils participated in a breakout session to discuss how ideas can turn into laws. The kids are indeed alright. During the afternoon of the annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day on Jan. 14, youth councils from Indian…
