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About The Tohono O'odham Nation Page 2
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From the early 18th Century through to the present, the O'odham land was occupied by foreign governments. First, the O'odham came under Spanish rule in what was then New Spain. With the independence of Republic of Mexico, O'odham fell under Mexican rule. 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. Currently the Tohono O'odham Nation is a Federally recognized tribe that operates its own political government. |
Today's O'odham are a mixture of old and new. The traditional way of life, to some extent, still exists and the Nation boasts a rich heritage and beautiful culture. There has recently been a major effort to teach our youth the O'odham language, dances, songs, stories, and himdag (O'odham way of life). In addition, our language lives on and is used in many meetings and gatherings. O'odham prayers to our Creator, I'itoi, precede each of these events. With the introduction of Casinos, the O'odham has enjoyed the opportunity to use the casino profits for many social programs including the EDA. With continued hard work, the O'odham are bridging the gap between the old ways and modern ways of life.
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