Standing on any campus of Pima Community College, you can feel the history held in these lands—the original homelands of the Tohono O’odham people and the extended homelands of the Pascua Yaqui. The same desert, the same mountains that watch over us, have watched over the Tohono O’odham for generations. They have walked here, lived here, and sustained life here long before modern cityscapes took shape. Tucson, known in O’odham as Chuk Shon, “spring at the base of the black mountain,” is more than a city; it is part of a legacy, an echo of lives deeply woven into the land’s rhythm.
The College is also part of that story. And with every class, every event, every conversation, Pima Community and Pima Foundation honor that connection. The College’s halls and classrooms welcome students from all 22 federally recognized Native Nations in Arizona, as well as from many of the 574 nations across the United States. It’s an acknowledgment that these sovereign communities are not relics or distant histories, but vital parts of our world—present, enduring, thriving.
Acknowledging the land this Native American Heritage Month is about more than naming it; it’s about seeing it through Indigenous eyes, honoring traditions that continue to nourish and sustain this place. For the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui, the connection to land is personal, spiritual, and eternal. Yet, their presence on these lands has not been without hardship. The Pascua Yaqui people, originally from the Río Yaqui valley in northern Mexico, sought refuge in southern Arizona after facing persecution and violence. Here, in Tucson, they carved out a home, bridging memory and resilience with each new generation. Their roots here run deep, just as the Tohono O’odham’s have for many years.
Pima Community College and Pima Foundation recognize this heritage with a commitment that goes beyond words. The College is dedicated to fostering understanding and respect for the cultures that surround us and is actively partnering with the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui Tribal Councils. These partnerships aim to nurture educational opportunities that honor Indigenous traditions, voices, and perspectives. From cultural events to inclusive initiatives, Pima supports pathways for Indigenous success, acknowledging both the history and the future of these communities.
There’s a shared recognition among us—staff, students, community members—that this land we live our everyday life on is more than just ground. It’s a legacy, a link to those who walked here long before, who cared for it and shaped it, and who continue to shape it today.
We are all, in some way, beneficiaries of this land’s history. And at Pima Community College and Pima Foundation, we encourage each other to learn more, to look beyond the everyday, and to deepen our appreciation for the culture, stories, and knowledge embedded in our community. It’s an invitation to be mindful and present, honoring the land and the people connected to it in ways that transcend mere acknowledgment.
In every class, every conversation, and every collaboration, Pima Community College remains committed to investing in partnerships that celebrate and uplift Indigenous voices. It’s not only a pledge to remember the past but a vision for an inclusive, respectful future—one where tradition and progress stand side by side.
Pima Community College Native Land Acknowledgement
Pima Community College is on the original homelands of the Tohono O’odham People and the extended homelands of the Pascua Yaqui Tribes. Additionally, Pima Community College has students, employees, and members of the community from many of the tribal and indigenous groups within the United States and worldwide. We honor and pay respect to these persons, past, present, and future who have and will continue to nurture, sustain, and steward these lands.
The practice of acknowledging the land of these sovereign Nations brings to the forefront their enduring connection to this land regardless of historical and current colonization practices. Let’s acknowledge that we all benefit from these lands on which we work and learn. We encourage everyone to learn about the land we inhabit, the tribal communities connected to this land and the ways in which each individual can contribute to restorative practices related to land and community. The practice of acknowledging the land of these sovereign Nations brings to the forefront their enduring connection to this land regardless of historical and current colonization practices.
We acknowledge the benefit we have received from these lands on which we work and learn. Pima Community College encourages each member of our community to learn about the land we inhabit, the tribal communities connected to this land and the ways in which we can contribute to restorative practices related to land and community. We continue to invest in our commitment through our partnerships with tribal and indigenous organizations, by including the native voice in our strategic and operational initiatives, and by working with the Pascua Yaqui and Tohono O’odham Tribal Council to invest in educational opportunities and initiatives.
