Tohono O'odham Nation history

Then, in 1853, through the Gadsden Purchase or Treaty of La Mesilla, O’odham land was divided almost in half, between the United States of America and Mexico.

1854 The Gadsden Purchase leads to the current United States-Mexico border traversing O’odham lands.

Although the Navajo never raided as extensively as the Apache, their raiding was serious enough to cause the United States government in 1863 to order Col.

By 1865 the Tohono O’odham had formed a standing army of their own to retaliate against Apache attackers.

In 1871 Tohono O’odham warriors helped Arizona settlers carry out the Camp Grant Massacre against long-time enemies, the Aravaipa band of Apaches on the San Pedro River.

1874 San Xavier reservation established.

1876: The Tohono O’odham make a lasting peace with their traditional enemy, the Apache.

1882 Gila Bend reservation established.

In 1898 the hostility between Tohono O’odham and Mexicans erupted in violence.

Another small reservation, Ak-Chin, was established in 1912 for Pima and Tohono O’odham people.

A large reservation was established in 1916 as the Papago Reservation, but by then many settlers and business interests had already claimed land in the area.

1917 The main Tohono O’odham reservation is established.

Tohono O’odham territory was not fully restored until 1926.

In 1927, reserves of lands for indigenous peoples, were established by Mexico.

During the Great Depression (1929–41; the period, following the stock market crash in 1929, of depressed world economies and high unemployment) the federal government set up the Papago Arts and Crafts Board to market (advertise and sell) these baskets.

In 1934 the Tohono O’odham voted to form a tribal government.

1937 The Tohono O’odham, then called the Papagos, adopt their first Constitution.

He returned to his homeland in 1946 and found so many in need among his people that he stayed to help.

Since 1950 the Tohono O’odham have leased their sacred mountain, Iolkam, to Kitt Peak National Observatory.

Ofelia Zepeda (1954–) is a language scholar who has done much to preserve O’odham culture.

1970 The Tohono O’odham Utility Authority (then called the Papago Tribal Utility Authority) is created.

1976: The United States government awards the Tohono O’odham $26 million for lost lands and restores mineral rights.

1978 Florence Village is established as part of the Nation.

1979 The Skill Center, later known as the Tohono O’odham Career Center, opens.

By 1980 there were fewer than two hundred Tohono O’odham living in Sonora.

1983 Papago Bingo is established.

1986 The Tohono O’odham adopt a new Constitution establishing a three-branch form of government.

In the 1990 United States Census, 16,876 people identified themselves as Tohono O’odham, making them the fifteenth-largest tribe in the United States.

1993 The Tohono O’odham Nation signs its first Indian gaming compact with the state ofArizona, and Papago Bingo becomes the Desert Diamond Casino.

In 1995 the Ak-Chin Reservation, home to a small number of Tohono O’odham and Pima, became America’s first Native American community to open a gaming facility in partnership with the well-known Harrah’s casino operations.

In 1996 they started Tohono O’odham Community Action (TOCA), an organization to revitalize the culture, improve community health, and support business development.

By 2000 the census counted 17,466 Tohono O’odham in the United States, and a total of 20,087 people who had some Tohono O’odham heritage.

2002 A new Desert Diamond Casino opens at 1-19 and Pima Mine Road.

2003 Land for the Hia-Ced O’odham is purchased near Why, Arizona.

2004 Radio station KOHN-FM 91.9 starts broadcasting.

2005 Recreation Centers open at five locations throughout the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Because the reservation shares a border with Mexico and approximately 1,800 tribal members live south of that border, the Tohono O’odham Nation opposed the Secure Fence Act, passed in 2006.

“Ha:sañ Bak: The Saguaro Harvest.” StoryTrail.com. (accessed on August 12, 2007).