Hualapai Tribe

Family Gathering Project

The Hualapai Tribe's Family Gathering project is aimed at addressing historical and multigenerational trauma within the community by providing activities that give families an opportunity to enjoy healthy foods and honor themselves and other families as the true strength of the community. 

Planning for the event is a 2-3 month period where the planning committee meets once a week. Tribal departments and programs are consistently represented throughout the planning process. 

In 2005, the Hualapai Tribal Council sponsored the coordination and implementation of a Father-Son Gathering and Mother-Daughter Gathering. The intent of these events was to re-enforce bonds within families. Coordination of two large events required significant time and personnel. In 2008, the decision was made to combine the events into a single Family Gathering.

The annual, one-day events have consistently offered opportunities for participants to:

• Try novel activities, e.g. archery, climbing wall and jumping castle.
• Compete with other families in horseshoes, volleyball and softball.
• Participate in traditional Hualapai cooking.
• Play traditional Hualapai games.
• Hear local (Hualapai or other Native) inspiration speakers.
• Honor those who have strengthened the community.

Steps Taken to Community Agreement, Approval and Implementation
The idea for the gatherings was proposed by a behavioral health counselor who argued to the Tribal Chairman and later the Council, that family bonds were the foundation of the community and needed to grow and be recognized. The Mother-Daughter, Father-Son and ultimately the Family Gathering were established through the social and financial support of the Tribal Council. The Council grants administrative leave for Tribal employees to attend, provides funding for food and other supplies, and allows Tribal employees to work on the coordination and implementation as part of their assigned job activities.

The events have been offered in the forested, picnic areas of the reservation and, most recently, at the local high school.

Implementation has involved most Tribal departments:

• Hualapai Health Department including Behavioral Health, Community Health Representatives (CHRs), Transportation, Healthy Heart Program, Elderly Program and Diabetes Prevention Program.
• Hualapai Department of Natural Resources.
• Hualapai Department of Cultural Resources.
• Grand Canyon Resort Corporation (Tribal Enterprise).
• Hualapai Tribal EMT Services.

Advertising for the events is done through locally-developed posters, an announcement in the local bi-monthly newsletter and word of mouth.

Funding
Family Gathering costs include:

• Fifteen to 20 Tribal employees who serve as cooks, game coordinators and facilitators.
• Food and supplies.
• Incentives, e.g. t-shirts.
• Vehicles and gas.
• Restroom facilities rental when offered outdoors.

Event costs are approximately $6,000 per year excluding employee’s time.

Participation
An average of 220 people participate in the Family Gathering each year.

Barriers Encountered and Overcome
The greatest challenge is coordination of this multi-activity event. No one individual is comfortable taking the lead and making decisions. Decisions are made by consensus of the planning committee. This process represents both a challenge and a strength as group decision builds group engagement and is a traditional means of resolution.

Keys to Success

• Multi-department coordination and collaboration.
• Passion and commitment of the Tribal employees to honor families.
• Consistent funding.

Contact Information
Sandra Irwin, MPH
Director, Hualapai Health Department
PO Box 397
Peach Springs, AZ 86434
928-769-2207
[email protected]