The AK-Chin Indian Community, which consists of both Tohono O’odham (Papago) and Pima Indians, is in the northwest part of Pinal County. The reservation land, at an elevation of approximately 1,186 feet, lies in the Sonoran Desert. State Route 238 intersects
the reservation at its northernmost and easternmost corners. The new State Route 347 runs through the reservation, connecting Interstate 8 and I-10.
In May 1912, President Taft, by executive order, created a 47,600-acre reservation. In September of the same year, he issued another executive order, which reduced the size of the reservation to its current size of just over 22,000 acres.
AK-Chin is well known for leading the long battle with the Department of the Interior to pass the “The AK-Chin Water Settlement Act.” Ultimately passed by Congress in 1984, the Act’s full implementation meant that the AK-Chin Community’s goal of becoming
100 percent self-sufficient was attainable, since it could continue its successful agricultural operations on a larger scale. At full operation, AK-Chin Farms will cultivate approximately 16,000 acres. The community’s goal of total self-sufficiency
is about 98 percent accomplished.
AK-Chin, located in a lush desert area, 43 miles northwest of the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, which consists of well-preserved remains of a central four-story building and several smaller outlying buildings constructed by the Hohokam Indians
during the 13th century. West of AK-Chin, low picturesque mountains enclose the scenic oasis on the desert, Remnants of other civilizations which inhabited the basin during earlier times are still in evidence.
Major events held on the reservation include: St. Francis Church Feast (October); Honoring Past Chairman’s Day (October); Annual Tribal Council Election (second Saturday in January); and the annual AK-Chin Him-Dak Museum celebration (April).