About San Xavier District

The San Xavier District (SXD) is one of eleven political subdivisions of the Tohono O’odham Nation. It lies approximately 10 miles south of downtown Tucson, AZ and contains nearly 72,000 acres of Sonoran desert, including a stretch of the ephemeral Santa Cruz River. Its population is approximately 1800. This area is a traditional homeland of the Tohono O’odham (Desert People); their ancestors, the Hohokam, lived here over 10,000 years ago. The community is also known as Wa:k, and its people, as the Wa:k O’odham.

The SXD government has evolved from an informal decision-making body to a complex organization. It was formally established in 1937, shortly after the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA). At that time, the Tohono O’odham Nation was known as the Papago Tribe. The IRA led to the creation of the Tribe’s constitution and official recognition of its 11 districts. At the time, SXD government consisted only of a Council made up of 11 male elder volunteers. They made decisions for the community and organized community events such as feasts and cattle round-ups. There were no revenues to fund provision of services. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) provided services such as police and schooling to the community. The BIA was, and still is, based in Sells, approximately 60 miles west of San Xavier. In the first half of the 20th century, this distance was enough to hinder the Wa:k O’odham in attempts to access BIA services.

Change came in 1968, with the passing of the Indian Self-Determination Act (P.L. 93-638). Under this law tribes could (and still can) petition to take over a service or program provided by a federal agency. If the request is approved, the money for the contracted program goes directly to the tribe, bypassing the federal agency. This allows the tribe to provide the program or service directly to its people, rather than relying on the federal agency.

The 638 process increased revenue available to the Tohono O’odham and allowed Districts some additional autonomy. In the late 1970s, the tribe began its Papago Bingo enterprise, which further increased revenue. At this time, District Chairman became a paid position, and SXD began to allow women to participate on the District Council. The Council and Chairman acted primarily as liaisons between the community, the BIA, and the central tribal government in Sells.

In the early 1980s, the tribe expanded its gaming operations, building the first Desert Diamond Casino on the San Xavier District. (A second casino, the Desert Diamond II, followed in 2001.) The expansion of gaming revenues has allowed SXD to steadily increase services and facilities provided for its community members. In the early 1980s, the District government assisted the San Xavier Cooperative Association in obtaining a lease for farmland, and is now coordinating and facilitating rehabilitation and expansion of the Cooperative Farm. A community center was built in 1986 and operates as a venue for community meetings and celebrations. An Elder Center was built in 1996 and serves as the location for congregate feedings of seniors, social activities for them, and other events.

Over the past twenty years, the District government has grown to 80 employees in 15 departments providing services such as education, health and wellness, elder care, protection of natural and cultural resources, and many others. The District is a prime example of tribal self-determination in action. 69% of staff members are registered members of SXD, an additional 9% are Tohono O’odham from other Districts, 9% are from other tribes, and only 13% are non-Indian.

Revenues from the three Desert Diamond casinos fund the Nation’s programs and central government, as well as providing financial resources to all eleven Districts. This leaves little reserve for facility and capital expenditures and other major projects. SXD is now developing grants and economic development programs that will bring additional resources into the community, bridging this funding gap.