The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) is a sovereign tribe deeply rooted in history, culture, and tradition. Located in the heart of the metropolitan Phoenix area, the Community is home to the Onk Akimel O’odham (Salt River People), also known as Pima and the Xalychidom Piipaash (Upriver People), and more commonly known as Maricopa — two distinct but interconnected Native American tribes.

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The current boundaries of SRPMIC were established by Executive Order on June 14, 1879. Since then, SRPMIC has grown into a thriving, self-governed nation that honors its rich heritage while embracing progress. Spanning 52,600 acres in Maricopa County, the Community is surrounded by the cities of Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and Fountain Hills, with 19,000 acres preserved as natural land.

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The SRPMIC Council, comprised of a president, vice president and seven elected Council members, provides governance and leadership, ensuring the prosperity and well-being of its people. Today, the Community has more than 11,000 enrolled tribal members.

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The Salt River Indian Community is not only rich in cultural history but also in economic opportunity. The Community maintains approximately 12,000 acres of farmland, producing cotton, melons, potatoes, onions, broccoli, and carrots. In addition, commercial development along the western boundary fosters business growth while preserving cultural traditions.

A defining landmark of the Salt River Indian Community is the majestic Red Mountain, located on the eastern boundary. Visible throughout the Community, it serves as a powerful symbol of the O’odham and Piipaash people’s deep connection to the land and signifies home.

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The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is comprised of two distinct Native American tribes: the Onk Akimel O’odham (Pima) and the Xalychidom Piipaash (Maricopa). The center of our aboriginal territory is located in what is now called the Phoenix Valley, but our villages and farms previously occupied vast stretches of land along the Gila and Salt Rivers.

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Although we derive from two distinct cultures and languages, our two tribes have been allies for many generations and share many of the same values. Even though each tribe formerly recognized its own leaders and independently managed its own day-to-day affairs, we interacted regularly. Intertribal commerce, decision-making, military action, and social interaction were common.

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Our friendly alliance ultimately developed into a more formalized confederation that benefited both groups. Since that time, we have regularly acted as a single political power. Such was the case when establishing relations with the United States. Hence, we are now federally recognized as one tribe by the U.S. Federal Government.

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​Onk Akimel O’odham (Pima)

“Pima” is the common name applied to us, but it is not something we called ourselves prior to European arrival. In our own language, we refer to ourselves as O’odham, which means “The People”. We are part of a large O’odham population that resides in Arizona and Mexico. To be more specific, we are Akimel O’odham, which means “River People”, because unlike our desert dwelling relatives to the south, we have always resided along and depended upon the rivers that intersect our territory. To be even more precise, we are Onk Akimel O’odham, meaning “Salt River People” because that is the specific river along which we reside.

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Xalychidom Piipaash (Maricopa)

“Maricopa” is the common name applied to us, but it is not something we called ourselves prior to European arrival. In our own language, we refer to ourselves as Piipaash, which means “The People”. We are part of a larger Yuman culture that extends across Arizona, Southern California, and Baja California.