Ak-Chin O'odham

Ak Chin Indian Community
of the Maricopa (Ak Chin)
Indian Reservation

Pinal County, Arizona with Ak-Chin Village highlighted in red
Total population
770
Regions with significant populations
United States ( Arizona)
Languages
O'odham, English, Spanish
Religion
Christianity, traditional tribal religion
Related ethnic groups
other Tohono O'odham, Akimel O'odham, Hia-Ced O'odham peoples

The Ak Chin Indian Community of the Maricopa (Ak-Chin) Indian Reservation is a federally recognized tribe and Native American community located in the Santa Cruz Valley in Pinal County, Arizona, 37 miles south of Phoenix and near the City of Maricopa. The Community is composed mainly of Akimel O'odham and Tohono O'odham, as well as some ethnic Hia-Ced O'odham members.

The Maricopa Reservation was established by the federal government in 1912, under President William Howard Taft; within a few months his administration reduced it by more than half, due to opposition from non-Native farmers in the area. Gaining federal recognition in 1961, the tribe has established a large agricultural operation, aided by gaining water rights to the Colorado River in a 1984 federal settlement. This settlement enabled it to continue using irrigation to support its agriculture and other needs.

The Community opened a gaming casino in 1994, Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino, with related hotel facilities. In 2011 the casino and resort was the major contributor to the economy of Pinal County. In July 2011, the casino underwent a $20 million expansion, with addition of a new 152-room hotel tower that doubled its capacity. The resort now has 300 rooms, and an outdoor swimming pool, completed in 2012. The resort features five restaurants, an entertainment venue, meeting and conference space, and the only bingo hall in the Caesars organization. It has generated revenues that the Community has reinvested in other economic development projects.

In 2006, the Ak-Chin Indian Community purchased the Phoenix Regional Airport, which was later renamed Ak-Chin Regional Airport. Located near the Santa Cruz Commerce Center, the 170-acre Ak-Chin Regional Airport consists of an airport building with a 5,000 ft. runway.