The Ak-Chin Indian Community will be one of several Native American communities participating in the Arizona Indian Festival on February 10-11. Come learn more about the ongoing heritage, culture, resources, and traditions of the Ak-Chin Indian Community and Arizona’s other indigenous people. The festival fills Civic Center Park in Scottsdale with “villages” of different Native American communities showcasing customs and artwork from their cultures. The Ak-Chin Indian Community joins its sister tribes, the Gila River Indian Community, Salt River/Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Tohono O’odham Nation in the Southern Tribes Village area.
Photo credit: Ak-Chin O’odham Runner Newspaper
Several groups will represent the Ak-Chin Indian Community, look for dance groups, artist demonstrations, and information booths. The Ak-Chin Indian Community will also host a replica corral and horse. Other displays in the Indian Village will include models of traditional dwellings such as traditional kitchen and natural awning from different tribes, cooking demonstrations, and a variety of entertainers. Attendees can enjoy performances from musicians and dancers, native storytelling, an artisan market, music, and giveaways. Meanwhile, the kids’ area will entertain the young ones in your group. Come hungry, so you can try tasty fare from food trucks and fry-bread stands. Festival hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard in downtown Scottsdale.
Photo credit: Ak-Chin O’odham Runner Newspaper
This event is sponsored by the City of Scottsdale and the Arizona American Indian Tourism Association. The Association promotes tourism in Arizona’s Tribal communities. The festival is part of the Western Week celebrations, which include the Parada del Sol parade in downtown Scottsdale on February 10 at 10 a.m. Enjoy beautiful weather and the unique sights and sounds of the festival while you learn more about Native American communities from Arizona![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather and zumba. As a writer, she’s covered technology, medical and travel topics.
