Him-Dak celebrates Eco-Museum, Ak-Chin Indian Community

Spring means it’s time to celebrate the anniversary of the Ak-Chin Him-Dak Eco-Museum. This year’s anniversary event happens on Saturday, April 6 starting at 9 a.m. and going until 2 p.m. Don’t miss it!

Each year in April, the Ak-Chin Indian Community celebrates the Eco-Museum’s anniversary with a full day of events. The Fun Walk and Run starts at the Old Fire Station and finishes at the museum. Stick around for artisan demonstrations, dance performances, information booths and art and food vendors. Bring the whole family, including the kids! The celebration hosts fun for the little ones too, including a bounce house and face painting.

The Ak-Chin Him-Dak Eco-Museum was established to preserve and display the Ak-Chin Indian Community’s historical culture. This is done by collecting, analyzing, preserving and displaying museum artifacts, and by teaching and sharing aspects of the Ak-Chin culture and language among the different generations. The museum displays tribal crafts, photographs and other goods representing the Ak-Chin Community. Community members living in the area help to maintain the exhibits by taking on the role of curator, adding to and preserving the Eco-Museum’s displays.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs began clearing land in 1991 in the desert southwest of Maricopa when they discovered artifacts from the Ak-Chin culture. These items were preserved until the Eco-Museum was built to house them. An Eco-Museum focuses on a community’s identity and cultural heritage. According to the book, “Eco-Museums 2nd Edition: A Sense of Place,” Eco-Museums originated in France in the 1970s. There are currently about 300 Eco-Museums in the world, and approximately 200 of those are located in Europe. The article, “The Ecomuseum Preserves and Teaches an Artful Way of Life” says the Ak-Chin Him-Dak Eco-Museum in Maricopa was the first Eco-Museum to open in the United States. If you haven’t yet discovered the Ak-Chin Him-Dak Eco-Museum, come spend an enjoyable day!

The Ak-Chin Him-Dak Eco-Museum is located at 47685 W Eco Museum Road in Maricopa. For more information about the event, contact the Him-Dak main office, 520-568-1350.