The Gila River: Lifeline, Legacy and the Fight for Native Rights in Arizona

The Gila River has long been more than just a body of water in Arizona; it has been a lifeline for the Native communities who have lived along its banks for centuries. For the Akimel O’odham, Pee Posh and other Indigenous groups, the river provided the essentials for daily life: water for drinking and irrigation, fertile land for crops and a source of fish and other food. Beyond survival, the Gila River shaped culture, community and spiritual practices, becoming an integral part of identity and tradition.

However, this vital resource was threatened over the years by encroachment, diversion of water for agriculture and urban development and government policies that ignored the rights of Native people. These challenges disrupted traditional ways of life, causing significant hardship for communities who had relied on the river for generations.

In response, Native leaders and communities organized to protect and reclaim their rights. Through advocacy, legal battles and persistent activism, they fought to restore access to the Gila River and secure recognition of their water rights. Their struggle reflects both resilience and determination, highlighting the ongoing importance of preserving natural resources while respecting Indigenous sovereignty.

In this episode of “What Happened in AZ?” we explore the deep connection between the Gila River and the Native people of Arizona. We examine how the river supported survival, culture and community, as well as the challenges faced when rights to these resources were threatened. By sharing the stories of struggle and triumph, we gain insight into the critical role water plays in sustaining life and culture, and the importance of protecting both natural resources and the rights of the people who depend on them.

Join us as we journey along the Gila River, uncover its historical significance and celebrate the enduring strength of Arizona’s Indigenous communities in their fight to protect their lifeline.

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.

_{^{Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting}}.