The first academic yearbooks date back to the 17th century, when they were used to note student records and achievements. Now, school yearbooks are filled with pictures, quotes and student highlights from throughout the school year. Diondria Pilger is the editor-in-chief for the 2025-2026 Westwood High School yearbook. A senior,...
The ongoing trauma of missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP) continues to weigh heavily on the hearts and minds of many, especially in Indian Country. Locally, to help navigate the harsh traumas of MMIP, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community has established its own MMIP coordinator, Paula Shaw, who works...
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Diabetes Prevention Services department invited a select few Community members out for an early evening of traditional foods as the sun began to set at the River People Health Center’s patio on March 16. Diabetes Prevention Services partnered with Tohono O’odham chef Sandra Miller...
The bird songs and dances filled the hearts of many with joy out in Lehi, also known by the people as “God’s Country,” for the 2026 springtime Piipaash Matasheevm. Held on April 3 and 4 this year, the two-day springtime celebration is widely considered to be one of the biggest...
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’s Family Advocacy Center hosted a “Chalk & Walk” Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action event on April 7 at Friendship Park. Participants wrote encouraging and positive messages with chalk on the basketball court blacktop to show their support. Examples of the messages etched...
The 20th Annual Westwood High School Social Powwow took place at the school’s baseball field on March 27 and 28. Westwood has been celebrating Indigenous cultures for 20 years, with a brief intermission during the COVID-19 pandemic. At last year’s powwow, for the first time the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian...
In each quarter of the academic year, over the span of a week, the Westwood High School Native American Education Program partners with Salt River Schools and Community Relations to meet with every Salt River student who is enrolled at Westwood. Chris Dinehdeal and Lorena Clashin are the counselors who...