Tucson, Arizona

A cultural organization that fuses arts and heritage to bring community members of all ages together.

Located in the Sonoran Desert, 60 miles west of Tucson, Arizona, the Tohorio O'odham Nation has struggled with economic development and cultural identity for quite some time. The per capita income is $3,113 with less than 50% of teenagers finishing high school. Three-fourths of the tribe population is 25 years old or younger.

Due to the challenging make-up of the community, in 1996, leaders created an organization to foster cultural revitalization and community development. The organization, Tohono O'odham Community Action (TOCA) offers after-school and summer arts and cultural programs that cover a wide area of arts and cultural heritage including traditional mask- making, pottery, basketry, story-telling, oral history activities, and traditional singing and dancing. These activities have preserved and inspired the Tohono O'odham people and traditions.         

In bringing together traditions, families have also become closer. The Elder/Youth Outreach Initiative has strengthened the cultural knowledge as well as family bonds. One major accomplishment of the initiative is bringing back the jujkida, or rain ceremony. This ceremony has not been performed in more than 30 years.

The program's most significant development however, is the commitment to the education and growth of their youth in the community. By focusing on many challenges throughout their families and tribe, youth are able to understand the community and learn leadership skills for the future. The long-term goal is to have the Tohono youth be knowledgeable in their culture and able to lead the tribe. Many of these ideas can be applied to minority groups that struggle to have their old traditions co-exist with new ways.