The agricultural legacy of Indigenous peoples in Arizona is the focus of a new exhibit at a city-run museum in Phoenix. It’s called “Following Their Roots” and is now housed at the S'edav Va'aki Museum, formerly known as the Pueblo Grande Museum.
“And today, as a councilmember, I yearn to be back in the field, to not wear a suit,” said Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Councilmember Jacob Butler, who spoke at Thursday’s grand opening.
“These are the places that we go to continue telling the story of our ancestors and telling those teachings to our children,” he added, “and so having the support of Phoenix and then allowing our community to help support endeavors like this is awesome.”
Hopi dry farmer Michael Kotutwa Johnson also attended.
“I was really happy to hear that, you know, the city of Phoenix was doing this to help revitalize this place here. That’s amazing,” Johnson said. “Cooperation is necessary; the acknowledgement is necessary for people to work together.”
This exhibit is expected to be on display through next summer.
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