Ak-Chin Indian Community
Our History
The Ak-Chin Indian Community was established by the U.S. Government in 1912 when President Taft signed for a reservation of 47,600 acres, which was reduced to less than 22,000 the following year. Our tribe’s government was formed in 1961 under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. In a 1984 federal settlement, we gained water rights to the Colorado River, enabling us to continue using irrigation to support our agriculture and other needs. Our first major enterprise was Ak-Chin Farms. Now with 15,000 productive acres, we are among the largest farming communities in the U.S. We entered the gaming industry in 1994 with Promus/Harrah’s management for a 72,000 square-foot casino. The Ak-Chin Him Dak Eco-Museum is a first-of-its-kind living museum that includes and preserves our culture, land and heritage. The Museum hosts the Him-Dak Celebration held in April and the Native American Recognition Day Celebration in September. Him-Dak means “way of life.”
Our Language
“Our language is our medicine. We lose our language, we lose our medicine” -Gabriel Lopez
The Native American language for Ak-Chin Indian Community is O’odham. Ak-Chin is an O’odham word meaning “mouth of the wash.” As of April 2019, the Ak-Chin Indian Community is the first to have state-certified O’odham language teachers.
Location
The Ak-Chin Indian Community lies 35 miles south of Phoenix in northwestern Pinal County at an elevation 1,186 feet. State Route 238 intersects the community at the north and east corners. State Route 347 runs through to connect I-8 and 1-10.
- Text from Ak-Chin Indian Community website. https://www.ak-chin.nsn.us/about/. Accessed December 11, 2023.
CountyPinal CountyStateArizona CountryUnited StatesGeographic Coordinates[1] Feature ClassCivilAk-Chin Indian Community transit and nonmotorized transportation study : Meeting Notes June 13, 2011