By Rio Christoffersen, April 2010
Contemporary Culture Editor

On Feb. 27, at the Salt River Pima Maricopa Community Center, the Onk Akimel O'odham tribe (Salt River People) hosted the Third Annual O'odham Unity Run Benefit show, designed to build solidarity within the tribe.

Photo by Joy Hopkins

On its web page at http://oodhamsolidarity.blogspot.com/ the “O’odham Solidarity Across Borders Collective” notes that its main goal is to raise awareness of its ancestral legacy. It notes on the site, “We fight for self-determination, and true sovereignty of our lands.”

Members of all the O'odham tribal family—the Onk Akimel O'odham tribe of Salt River, the Akimel O'odham of Gila River and the Tohono O'odham from the reservation between Tucson and Ajo came together to raise donations for the Unity Run; one runner from each tribe participates in a run from the Salt River Indian Community to the border town Posa Verde, Mexico.

In the photo above, local Phoenix painter Lalo Cota is flanked on his left by painter and graphic designer, Tyson P. of Chandler from UN3EK SY5TEM (Unique System) and the young painter Eter on his right. All were collaborating in a show of live painting and graffiti art for attendees.

Later in the evening, attendees watched performances from MC's Optimal, Mike 360, Definition Rare and Shining Soul, which consists of two emcees and one disc jockey.

Thomas Breeze, the art and music organizer of the benefit show, said, "The event was great. We had a good turn out of supporters from all backgrounds, native and non-native."

In regards to the interaction and performances, Breeze said, "The best thing was seeing young kids playing and drawing on the ground with chalk and elders being present and embracing and supporting the contemporary hip-hop performances. In the end, they knew that it was all for the cause, and that the DJ’s and emcees on stage were there out of the goodness of their hearts and souls...,and they were also there because they believe in their community and culture."

The O'odham community was able to raise $800 in donations for the Unity Run.