Ak-Chin Indian Community celebrates 2017 Native American Recognition Day on Sept. 30

The Ak-Chin Indian Community hosts its Native American Recognition Day celebration annually on the last Saturday in September. Native American Recognition Day (NARD) is an event celebration that focuses on sharing traditions and artwork from different Native American cultures with others.

Native American Culture

by
Carolyn Sostrom
09/20/2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Ak-Chin Indian Community hosts its Native American Recognition Day celebration annually on the last Saturday in September. Native American Recognition Day (NARD) is an event celebration that focuses on sharing traditions and artwork from different Native American cultures with others.
This year’s NARD celebration is on Saturday, September 30 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Milton “Paul” Antone Park in Maricopa. Events are coordinated by the Ak-Chin Him-Dak EcoMuseum.
A Fun Run/Walk and a 5K Run kicks things off, starting at 8 a.m., with registration for both beginning at 7:30 a.m. After the walk/run, other festivities happen from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park.
The day features performances by different Native American dance groups, artist demonstrations, information booths, a variety of food vendors, and arts and crafts booths. In previous years, performers included the Yellow House Dancers, who showcased a hoop dance. Previous artist demonstrations featured self-taught painter Joseph Smith and basket weaver Sally Antone. Look for a similar variety of entertainment at this year’s event!
There will also be a horseshoe tournament and a watermelon-eating contest, along with bouncy houses and face painting for the little kids. Bring the whole family for a day full of fun! Everyone is welcome to attend and participate.

Him-Dak Museum Staff

The Ak-Chin Indian Community has hosted NARD events for years. The Community’s first NARD celebration was held in front of the Ak-Chin Indian Community Him-Dak EcoMuseum. Since then, the event has grown substantially and moved to the park so as to provide more space for exhibitors and guests.
Milton “Paul” Antone Park is located at 46851 W. Farrell Road in Maricopa. For more information about Native American Recognition Day, contact the Ak-Chin Him-Dak EcoMuseum at 520-568-1350.[/vc_column_text][vc_gmaps link=”#E-8_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”][vc_column_text]

: Artists provide demonstrations of their work during Native American Recognition Days

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Last Updated on 01/25/2019 by Carolyn Sostrom

About the Author:

Carolyn Sostrom

Biography:

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.