| Begin your tour gathered around a campfire listening to the stories of the Yavapai: The people of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. A professional guide facilitates your tour with possible opportunities to interact with Yavapai tribal members. Your professional guide will explain the tribes ancient culture, history, and heritage then guide you along a one-mile nature trail showing how the Yavapai’s lives were connected to the land of the Sonoran Desert. After the walk enjoy Yavapai fry bread while learning more about Fort McDowell through a question and answer session. A close encounter with the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
A two hour cultural heritage experience including refreshments
Minimum 4 guests
Please call for reservations: 480-816-6465 #1 (At least 2 business day notice please)
These are some of the interesting facts you will learn on the tour:
The Yavapai’s history dates back for thousands of years
They once roamed parts of what are now Nevada, Utah, and Colorado and as far as the Gulf of California and into Mexico. The Southwest is their homeland. Fort McDowell Reservation established in 1903. The reservation covers 25,000 acres, nearly 40 square miles, and features one of two ever-flowing rivers leading to the Phoenix valley: the Verde River. It eventually joins the Salt River south of us.
Fort McDowell is one of 22 federally recognized native tribes in Arizona. The tribe may be small in comparison; however they have strong values and a well-defined culture. Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation has approximately 900 tribal members.
Not all of the history has been written down. Much of the history has been handed down orally.
The Yavapai have a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The Yavapai people are a proud people. They were once a nomadic tribe that lived off the land, moving with the seasons. They lived along the Verde River throughout the central part of Arizona and would always return to the Sedona area, which was a gathering and trading place for many Yuman tribes.
You will hear how the people derived from the Ahagaskiaywa, (Montezuma’s Well.) You’ll learn how the women created works of art with baskets and how they used the land for everyday needs. We’ll talk about the many different Pai tribes that are related to each other within the Yuman tribes of the southwest.
You’ll hear about the hardships of the Yavapai people who were massacred and forced away from their homeland as settlers and the U.S. Army took over the land. Also, how the people have overcome adversity to become citizens of the United States with the right to vote.
Finally, we’ll cover the many exciting new developments that have made the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation a leader among Native tribes. |
