Gila River Indian Community participates in Tohono O’odham Nation parade

Emma Hughes

Gila River Indian News

The Gila River Indian Community participated in the Tohono O’odham Nation’s 81st Annual Wapkial Ha:Tas Rodeo & Fair in Sells, Ariz. GRIC was represented in the Nation’s parade on Feb. 2 by Gov. Stephen Rie Lewis, Lt. Gov. Robert Stone, Miss Gila River Autumn Cooper, Jr. Miss Gila River Samaria Juan, Haskell Osife Antone Post No. 51, Keli Akimal Hua Modk Cudkdam (Gila River Basket Dancers) and Achem A’al Indigenous Traditional Pima Basket Dancers.

The parade’s theme was “Celebrating the resiliency of O’odham Himdag through Beauty, Health, and Wellness” and presented awards in six categories: Business, Group, School, Music, Tribal Programs, and Royalty. 

Keli Akimal Hua Modk Cudkdam (Gila River Basket Dancers) won second place in the parade’s group category and Achem A’al Indigenous Traditional Pima Basket Dancers placing second in the music category and both groups had performances during the weekend at the fairgrounds. 

Following the parade, GRIC Royalty attended the TON Rodeo and Fair’s Pow Wow and participated in the grand entry ceremony.