“We, as members of the Gila River Indian Community, believe that through the conservation and interpretation of our material culture and records we can preserve our culture, history, and traditions. We believe also that the wisdom of our elders should be imparted to the children of all people. Through interactive exhibits and educational programs we can instill an appreciation of the past accomplishments of the Huhugam, and our people, the Akimel O’odham and Pee Posh. Our programs are intended to instill recognition of the contributions and achievements with the belief that recognizing and appreciating our differences leads to a greater understanding and empathy for our peoples. We believe that all children and youth need to have access to authentic learning opportunities that incorporates the arts, history, and culture of our peoples. To accomplish this, we provide a safe, aesthetic learning environment, the Huhugam Heritage Center, to our children, youth, and our guests.
To fulfill our vision and to share our beliefs and values, we accept and value the contributions of all peoples. We hope that all visitors to the Center and participants in its activities will find the means to enhance their personal goals.”
