History and Culture

(cited from the About SRP-MIC and History and Culture pages)

Although the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRP-MIC) is now a single Indigenous nation, it derives from two distinct cultures and languages. These two communities were allies for many generations, interacted regularly and shared many of the same values. Although each of these peoples formerly recognized its own leaders and independently managed its own day-to-day affairs, intertribal commerce, decision-making, military action and social interaction were common.

This friendly alliance ultimately developed into a more formalized confederation that benefited both groups, allowing them to act as a single political power. This accord was exemplified when establishing official relations with the United States. Hence, they are now federally recognized as one nation by the US Federal Government.

The territory of O’odham and Piipaash, who resided along the Salt River, was originally recognized by the US government via executive order, signed by President Rutherford B. Hayes on January 10, 1879. Unfortunately, a subsequent executive order on June, 14, 1879, reduced the Salt River portion of the reserve from approximately 680,000 acres to just under 47,000 acres. The second order also created two disconnected land bases, separating the Salt River O’odham-Piipaash from their relatives living along the Gila River. In 1940, the Salt River Community adopted a constitution and bylaws under the provisions of the Federal Indian Reorganization Act and is now governed by an elected president, vice president and council.