TRIBE CELEBRATES 33 YEARS OF SOVEREIGNTY

by Harrison J. Bahe

On May 8, 2025, the community of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation celebrated Sovereignty Day with an early morning walk from the old casino to the Parks and Recreation building, where a hearty lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs was served.

The celebration marks a pivotal moment in the tribe’s history. On May 12, 1992, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) raided five tribal casinos across Arizona—one of them at Fort McDowell. Armed and wearing jackets emblazoned with bright yellow FBI lettering, the agents stormed the casino and began seizing the tribe’s gaming machines. In a bitter twist of irony, the trucks used to haul away the machines bore the name “Mayflower”—a stark reminder of a much older history of encroachment.

But the tribe did not stand idly by. A small group of community members mobilized quickly, blocking the entrance with massive earth movers and linking arms in defiance. With unwavering courage—sometimes staring down the barrels of guns—they stood their ground and stopped the seizure. Their bravery inspired the entire community to rally, echoing the spirit of the Orme Dam protest just a decade earlier. Together, they marched to the state capitol in protest, igniting a movement that ultimately led to the creation of Arizona’s Indian Gaming Compact.

The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, small but unyielding, once again found itself at the forefront of a landmark moment in Arizona history. Their resolve paved the way for tribal gaming rights across the state and affirmed the power of unity in the face of injustice.

Each year, the tribe honors that legacy with a victory march—not just to remember the past, but to remind future generations of what it means to defend sovereignty. It is a celebration of resistance, resilience, and the enduring strength of a people who continue to lead with courage and pride.