Ak-chin Indian Community

Ak-Chin is an O'odham word translated to mean "mouth of the wash" or "place where the wash loses itself in the sand or ground." The term refers to a type of farming that relies on washes – seasonal food-plains created by winter snows and summer rains.

In May 1912, President Taft signed for a 47,600-acre reservation. However, the acreage was reduced to just less than 22,000 acres the following year.

The tribe's government was formally organized in 1961, under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. The Ak-Chin Indian Community is governed by a 5 member Tribal Council; which oversees the governmental operations and departments that service the community of Ak-Chin.

Ak-Chin has an enrollment of over 1,094 tribal members. Its first major enterprise was Ak-Chin Farms, which currently harvests over 15,000 acres, making it one of the largest farming communities in the U.S.

Farms
Ak-Chin Indian Community also houses the Ak-Chin Him Dak Eco-Museum, the first of its kind in America. The Him-Dak is a place were objects of our past are conserved and shared. The Him-Dak hosts two yearly celebrations; the annual Him-Dak Celebration held in April and the Native American Recognition Day Celebration held in September.

Ak-Chin Indian Community entered into the gaming industry in 1994 with Promus/Harrah's management for a 72,000 square foot casino. The casino has expanded to include: a 148-room resort hotel and new bingo facility, which employs over 830 people and is considered one of the top employers in Pinal County.

Ak-Chin Indian Community continues to make strides in working with the neighboring communities in western Pinal, while moving forward in services and economic undertaking for its People.