Ak-Chin Indian Community hosts 25th Annual Unity Run with other O’odham tribes

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Annual Unity Run brings 20-year tradition and prayers among Tohono O’odham Communities

In March, the Ak-Chin Indian Community hosted and participated in the Unity Run. Community members and employees served as runners and volunteers to help make the event a success. Four tribes host the annual Unity Run to help preserve, strengthen, and offer prayers for their nations.

The run began on Sunday, March 8, traveling from the Tohono O’odham Nation to arrive in the Ak-Chin Indian Community on Wednesday, March 11. After an overnight stay, the group then ran to the Gila River Indian Community and ended in the Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community on Saturday, March 14. This is the 25th anniversary of the Unity Run.

Photo courtesy of the Ak-Chin O’odham Runner newspaper

Seven Ak-Chin Indian Community members participated as runners. Though the weather that week was rainy and muggy, it did not dampen the spirits of those participating in the event as runners, volunteers or spectators.

Volunteers and employees from the Community helped to coordinate a successful overnight camp for the runners when they arrived at Milton Paul Antone Memorial Park. Vekol Market provided dinner and breakfast for the group, and different departments from the Ak-Chin Indian Community-contributed time and resources.

Photo courtesy of Ak-Chin O’odham Runner newspaper

Once the runners arrived and settled in, members of the Ak-Chin Youth Council performed traditional songs, and Ak-Chin Indian Community Vice Chairman Gabriel Lopez offered a blessing and welcome to the group.

A small group of people from the United States and Mexico founded the Unity Run in 1995, according to an article in the Ak-Chin O’odham Runner newspaper. The team included representation from multiple tribes: Tohono O’odham, HiaCed O’odham, and Akimel O’odham. Their main goal was to raise awareness about the legacy of their ancestors from centuries ago, according to the article. The event also strives to maintain the traditions of running and carrying prayers to help preserve the history, language, and culture of the tribes.

Congratulations to the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the other tribes for another successful, meaningful Unity Run!

Carolyn Sostrom

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle. She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*. With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower. She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.