Unity Run Brings Prayers to Ak-Chin Story by K
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M a ri o p , Ari o n a Volum e XXXIII, Issue 7 April 5 - 18, 2019 Unity Run brings prayers to Ak-Chin Story by K. Morago, photos by Runner sta their horns and both members dinner served in the Ak-Chin The sound of over a hundred encouragement and thanks and employees from different Recreation Center gym and pairs of shoes hitting the were visible along Farrell departments cheered them breakfast the next day. road were heard on Farrell road. on as they stood by the road. road. Runners moving Helping in front of and back The next morning, the Unity west toward Milton Paul The largest group of the of the runners were the Ak- Run continued their journey Antone Memorial Park. The Unity Run were ready to run Chin Police department and south, heading to the Tohono annual Unity Run of the into the main village, waiting Fire department. O’odham Nation. Continuing four O’odham tribes arrived at the wash net to the to assist were Ak-Chin Fire in Ak-Chin on Monday Capital Projects building. Kelly, Daria Garcia and others and Police departments. afternoon, March 18. Over a hundred strong, they ran into the park, toward the Ak-Chin had runners who came from Gila River, alt concession stand and around continued on. Two runners, one carrying a River and Tohono O’odham the east field toward the grass staff, ran across tate Route Nation to participate in the next to the irrigation canal The group was welcomed 347 on Farrell Road at 3:02 week-long event that began where the campsite was set in Cockleburr for lunch and pm. Accompanying them at Red Mountain on the alt up. met with the Community was Ak-Chin Vice-Chairman River Pima-Maricopa Indian members and elders. On Gabriel Lopez on horseback Community on unday, Welcoming the Runners were hand was Tohono O’odham and also carrying a staff. March 16. Ak-Chin Vice-Chairman veteran Joe Joaquin and TON Gabriel Lopez, Council Council member Lucinda Another two runners awaited There was a pause for nearly member Delia Antone and Allen. the trio by the Ak-Chin Youth an hour as the group waited Community member Yolanda Council office, and in relay for the group of runners Miranda. The Unity Run has been style fashion, took the staff that were coming from the in existence for over two and began running until the west from an ucy district. In their remarks, they decades. Established as a net hand off by the Ak-Chin When they arrived, the three thanked everyone, offering way to “unite, preserve, Fire department, which had runners handed off the staff encouragement and strengthen offer prayers for three runners waiting. to the Ak-Chin Unity runners welcomes to Ak-Chin. There our respective nations,” and who led the entire group in. was also a singing of “Happy “to instill the tradition of igns made by the outh Birthday” to Kelly Antone, running and respect through Council greeted the runners Ak-Chin member Kelly who’s birthday was that day. the teaching of our himdag and group assisting the Antone carried the staff, Ak-Chin Vice-Chairman Gabriel Lopez is thanked (way of life),” this year’s Run runners. A large welcome was running and leading by Unity Run organizer Serena Padilla as the runners The Ak-Chin Community coincided with many school placed at the Community’s everyone west to the park. leave Ak-Chin. Padilla presented a shell necklsce in Events department assisted district’s spring breaks and entrance and signs of Along the way, cars honked appreciation of the Community’s support. in all preparations, with Unity Run continues to 3b Ak-Chin Chairman Piestewa Fallen Heroes Memorial Robert Miguel Joins brings reunion, honoring of fallen Maricopa Economic Story and photos by Runner sta For two days in March, she and her Development fellow fallen are remembered. The iestewa allen eroes unrise Alliance Board of Memorial, held annually to honor Army C. ori Ann iestewa and Directors those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, were honored at the base of Piestewa Submitted by Abbie Fink eak early morning on aturday, (MARICOPA, Ariz. – March 19, 2019) Robert March 23, 2019. Miguel, chairman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, has joined the board of directors The event marks the sixteenth of Maricopa Economic Development Alliance anniversary of that fateful day in (MEDA). 2 when ori became the first Native American woman killed in MEDA is the City of Maricopa’s private-public combat, while deployed in Iraq with partnership for economic development. As a the 507th Maintenance Company out 501(c)3 corporation, the organization champions of Fort Bliss, Texas. A single mother strategies and solutions that foster economic growth of two from the Hopi Tribe, Lori was Ak-Chin Councilmember Octavio Machado and son Octavio Jr. view the and prosperity in Maricopa by bringing together the 23 years old. remembrances of the fallen during the Friday, March 22 Memorial dinner in Phoenix. business, government, education and civic sectors by their maternal grandparents, up until last to recognize and support not only Lori, but to identify and advance policies that facilitate Her children, Brandon and Carla are year when their grandfather Terry Piestewa grieving Gold tar families who attend along investment, growth and workforce development. now young adults having been raised passed. They come to the mountain yearly with honor guards, tribal leaders, veterans Chairman Miguel was the first elected chairman Memorial continues to 3a of the Ak-Chin Indian Community under its new Constitution which allowed tribal members to Ak-Chin Recreation hosts Tiny Tots Olympics officially vote for their Chairman. An advocate of Story and photos by J. Peters education, health, water, economic development, It was a windy afternoon at Hohokam and elder and youth services, Chairman Miguel has Youth Park, on March 16th, as the developed his leadership skills through hard work, Ak-Chin Community hosted their dedication and guidance with the support of the first Tiny Tots lympics. Ak-Chin Elders. Coordinated by Ak-Chin Recreation, “I was born and raised on Ak-Chin and have staff members and volunteers set watched the City of Maricopa, our neighbor, grow out a handful of miniature-version into a vibrant and dynamic city,” said Chairman Olympic Games for the young athletes Miguel. “There is much synergy between what to master. Games such as basketball the elected leaders in Maricopa want for their and volleyball to gymnastics and community and what our tribal council wants an obstacle course, the tiny athletes for our community. Being a part of MEDA and took their turns at running, jumping, the discussions regarding economic growth and development will be a benefit to all of us.” skipping and hopping to complete the set of tasks before them. “We are thrilled that Chairman Miguel is a part of our board of directors, bringing not only his The pening Ceremonies kicked off knowledge and epertise on tribal affairs, but the with a “Torch Run” with Recreation Community’s perspective on strategic growth,” Director Monica Rubio leading the said ohn chur, MAs board chair. “That tiny tots in a march for all the athletes knowledge will be an integral part of our collective and their coaches (parentsguardians). o a er coaces a e mc fie orces a r success.” They walked hand in hand around the the Opening Ceremony of the Tony Tots Olympics held at Hohokam Park, March 16. Board continues to 7a Tiny Tots continue to 2b P a g e 2 S a c a t o n h u r h ir I N S I D E H I S S S U E P a g e a C o m m u n i y e w s P a g e 1b E m pl y e e o d g e b ll P a g e 4 L ibr ry e w s P a g e 2b S t . a t ri k ’ s 5 2 a April 5 - 18, 2019 Historic Sacaton Presbyterian church destroyed in fir Story and photo by K. Morago The skyline in acaton forever changed when the 1 year old C. Cook Memorial resbyterian Church was destroyed in a fire on Monday, March 2. The vacant church, registered as a historic landmark, was a gathering place for generations of Gila River members. Ak-Chin elder Mildred Thomas, who attended the church with her mother as Frs resoers ace e fire o e es a so a child, was in acaton and end of the church. sadly watched it burn. ne shared memories and prayers. department have caught of her granddaughters was GRC Governor tephen three suspects who have not married in the church. Roe ewis held a ublic orum yet been identified. A prayer service was the net day at the oys and The current acaton held on riday, March 2 Girls Club providing updates resbyterian church is that brought together over The C. H. Cook Memorial Presbyterian Church in Sacaton, built in 1918, is engulfed in and answering uestions. unaffected. individuals, some who ames o oa mor arc . e smoe co e see e mes aa. Gila River olice Ak-Chin elders participate in Fort McDowell Senior Games Ak-Chin Mighty Turtle player Connie Orona sends the ball across the net during their match. Fort McDowell President Bernadine Burnette and Vice- Ak-Chin Hu’hu’jud player Janice Perez hits the ball rese a sse rafe a sar r e ames.