Why is this Arizona tribe moving away from the name ‘Pima?’

The story of the Akimel O’odham is far deeper than many people realize, and understanding the history of their name helps restore truth, identity and cultural accuracy.

“Akimel O’odham” translates to “River People,” a name that reflects their relationship with the Gila and Salt Rivers and their long history of farming, stewardship and community along the waterways of what is now central and southern Arizona. Yet for generations, most outsiders have known them by a different name: “Pima.”

The label “Pima” did not come from the Akimel O’odham themselves. Instead, historians widely believe it originated from early Spanish encounters. When Spanish explorers asked the people who they were, the Akimel O’odham responded in their own language with a phrase meaning, “I don’t know,” “I don’t understand” or “I don’t speak Spanish,” often interpreted as pi ’añi mac or something similar. The Spanish mistook this response for the group’s name and recorded it as “Pima.” Over time, the misinterpretation stuck, and the name spread through maps, government documents and historical records.

Jivik Siik, a cultural teacher, explains how that misunderstanding shaped the identity of an entire community in the eyes of outsiders, while the people themselves continued to use their true name. It also highlights why reclaiming the name “Akimel O’odham” is meaningful today, especially in efforts to preserve cultural knowledge, protect Indigenous languages and tell accurate stories about the land and the people who have lived on it since long before Arizona existed.

By learning the real history of the name, viewers gain a clearer, more respectful understanding of the Akimel O’odham, their language and their legacy. This video invites you to look beyond the labels history imposed and reconnect with the truth of who the River People truly are.

Each Friday we’ll be sharing a peek into the past that shows what life was like here, in what’s now Arizona, at the time of the American Revolution ahead of the semiquincentennial or 250th anniversary of the United States.

Stay tuned to learn more about “What Happened in AZ?” each week.

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