Honoring History, Innovation, and Community: Explore Class 4 Visits Gila River Indian Community

For the first time, our Explore program had the opportunity to visit the Gila River Indian Community, a powerful and deeply meaningful experience made possible through the generous partnership of Kristina Morago. While Kristina was originally tasked with leading our tour of the community’s innovative Solar Over Canal project, her dedication went far beyond that, helping to shape an entire day of learning, connection, and cultural understanding. We began our day at the Mar5 Interpretive Site, a beautifully preserved area that replicates the landscape from a time when the river once flowed freely through the land. It set the tone for the day’s reflections on stewardship, resilience, and the deep ties between land and people.

Kristina then guided us through a driving tour across several parts of the community, showcasing impressive healthcare and government facilities, a local market, and a landmark park. The highlight of this portion was the Solar Over Canal project—an inspiring effort that demonstrates climate leadership and innovation while remaining rooted in cultural and environmental stewardship. Lunch was provided by Kaitlin Martinez from The Ranch Mobile, an eatery dedicated to serving delicious, culturally relevant food. The meal was a true highlight, especially the mesquite spongecake with berries, which offered a perfect balance of tradition and indulgence.

We closed our day at the Huhugam Heritage Center, where Whalean Riggs and Leland Thomas welcomed us and spoke of the importance of preserving the O’otham and Pee-Posh languages, and the cultural richness that defines the community. We were also honored to learn from Robert Stone—former Lieutenant Governor, council member, and cultural and language instructor—who spoke powerfully about the history of farming, governance, and the significance of cultural continuity. The generosity, wisdom, and pride of our hosts were evident at every turn. Our themes of equity, adaptability, and interconnectedness came to life in this experience, reminding us that leadership grounded in cultural knowledge and collective care is essential to shaping a more equitable Arizona.

Thank you to all of our Gila River Indian Community partners who made our first trip to their community such a success! See all the pictures from our trip on Facebook.