WELCOME TO

THE FORT MCDOWELL
YAVAPAI NATION

The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation is a 950-member Native American tribe that calls Central Arizona’s upper Sonoran Desert home. Located to the northeast of Phoenix within Maricopa County, Arizona, the 40-square mile reservation is a small part of the ancestral territory of the once nomadic Yavapai people, who hunted and gathered food in a vast area of Arizona’s desert lowlands and mountainous Mogollon Rim country.

We are determined to be the leader among indigenous communities guided by the Sovereignty and grounded in Yavapai Tradition and Culture. We strive to improve the health, well being and happiness of our nation.

Our Website
A Community Resource

This website is designed to be a resource for our community members; a place where you can learn more about our tribal government, access news and events, and read more about our various departments.

It is also a resource for visitors to the Nation; a place where they can learn more about our community, our history and culture, and the numerous enterprises operating within the boundaries of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.

BAJA & FIREBIRDS BALL AT YUMA TOURNAMENT

On September 1, 2026, the Fort McDowell Tribal Library hosted a Back-to-School Root Beer Float event, offering free, classic root beer floats to library patrons and attendees.

TRIBAL LIBRARY OFFERS ROOT BEER FLOATS + A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BLACK COW

On September 1, 2026, the Fort McDowell Tribal Library hosted a Back-to-School Root Beer Float event, offering free, classic root beer floats to library patrons and attendees.

CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY ON THE DESERT DONATES SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO FMYN STUDENTS

On August 26, 2026, the Church of Saint Anthony on the Desert, in collaboration with its Native American Ministries, donated school supplies to students of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.

FILM PRODUCERS DISCUSS SOVEREIGNTY DAY FILM PROPOSAL

FILM PRODUCERS DISCUSS SOVEREIGNTY DAY FILM PROPOSAL By Harrison J. Bahe On August 20, 2026, Clissene Lewis, the Culture Coordinator, hosted an open discussion at the Fort McDowell Recreation Center to talk about a potential film adaptation about the 1992 FBI casino...

SOVEREIGNTY IN HEALTH: OUR NATIONS, OUR HEALTH

Sovereignty in Health: Our Nations, Our Health By Francesca Baile From August 16-21, 2026, Vice President of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Paul Russell, Family Services Director Tamara Hernandez, and Medical Director for Wassaja Memorial Health Center Francesa...

KIDS LEARN YAVAPAI WORDS AT THE LIBRARY

KIDS LEARN YAVAPAI WORDS AT THE LIBRARY By Harrison J. Bahe On August 12, 2026, this reporter attended a Yavapai language class exclusively catered to youth at the Fort McDowell Tribal Library. The class was hosted by the Culture Center and led by Culture Coordinator...

WE-KO-PA CONFERENCE CENTER TO GET UPGRADED CARPETS

WE-KO-PA CONFERENCE CENTER TO GET UPGRADED CARPETS By Harrison J. Bahe On August 6, 2026, this reporter was invited into the ballroom at the We-Ko-Pa Casino & Resort, where a major renovation project is currently underway. After serving guests for the past 22 years,...

YOUTH COUNCIL TOURS TRIBAL OFFICE

YOUTH COUNCIL TOURS TRIBAL OFFICE By Harrison J. Bahe On May 19, 2026, the Fort McDowell Youth Council toured the tribal office and met with members of the Tribal Council to discuss current issues and future initiatives they hope to bring to the community....

TRIBAL ROYALTY ATTENDS GATHERING OF NATIONS

TRIBAL ROYALTY ATTENDS GATHERING OF NATIONS By Wendy Thomas From April 23-25, 2026, the Gathering of Nations was held in New Mexico, and our royalty proudly represented the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Below is a handwritten letter from Miss Pai Woman Wendy Thomas as...

CELEBRATINGING 34 YEARS OF SOVEREIGNTY

CELEBRATINGING 34 YEARS OF SOVEREIGNTY By Harrison J. Bahe On May 12, 2026, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation commemorated the 34th anniversary of the historic raid carried out by the FBI during which more than 300 gaming machines were seized from the Fort McDowell...

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Responsible for 24/7 enforcement of tribal, state & federal laws.

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WASSAJA CLINIC

Providing primary care & community health services & programs.

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EDUCATION DIVISION

Responsible for all education related departments & programs.

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Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Bid Opportunities

n an effort to improve service and efficiency, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation will be using BidNet’s Arizona Purchasing Group for soliciting bids and quotes. This system will provide you with convenient online access to all formal and informal bid opportunities from the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, as well as from other government agencies who join and use the platform in Arizona.

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ELECTION BOARD

An independent board that supervises Tribal Council elections.

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PROP 202 APPLICATION

Application process for donation and sponsorship requests.

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Proud Sponsors of the Orme Dam Victory Days Celebration

Event Information

Contact Us

If you have any questions, or would like to get in touch with the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, please contact us at 480-789-7000. We are closed on all public holidays.

Fort McDowell Destination & Enterprises

Located in the heart of Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation on the eastern edge of Scottsdale, the venue offers premium accommodations, championship golf, fun gaming, Southwestern entertainment and unique shopping.