Leadership

Ned Norris Jr., Chairman
Wavalene M. Saunders, Vice Chairwoman
Legislative Council

(updated November 2022)

Contact Information

Address: PO Box 837

Sells, AZ 85634

Phone: 520-383-2028

Health and Human Services Executive Director:

Veronic Geronimo veronica.geronimo@tonation-nsn.gov

Education Executive Director:

Jeffers Choyguha jeffers.choyguha@tonation-nsn.gov

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer:

Peter Steere peter.steere@tonation-nsn.gov

Tohono O'odham Institutional Review Board:

irb@tonation-nsn.gov

Website

GOVERNANCE: Three independent branches of government include; Executive (Chairman and Vice-Chairwoman), Legislative (Tribal Council with two representatives from each of the 11 Tohono O'odham districts), and Judicial (Courts and Judges).

The Chairman and Vice-Chairwoman (Executive Branch), and Tribal Council representatives are elected for staggered 4-year terms. Elections are held in odd years. The Tribal Council elects from its own membership a Legislative Chairman and Legislative Vice-Chairman to serve 2 years. The Tribal Council representatives each serve on three of the Legislative Councils 12 standing committees.

Each of the eleven districts has its own governing district council with at least five representatives, including a chairman and vice-chairman. Each district governs itself in matters of local concern.

The Tribal Council meets monthly for 5-day general sessions.

The Tohono O'odham Nation resides in Congressional District 3, Legislative District 4. 


CONSTITUTION AND RESEARCH GUIDELINES: 

Tohono O'odham Constitution (Adopted March 1986)

Tohono O'odham Constitution (Adopted March 1986)
view | download 1.27 MB

Tohono O'odham Research Code

Tohono O'odham Research Code
view | download 373.85 KB

Tohono O'odham Code

If you are interested in doing research with Tohono O'odham Nation, visit the Institutional Review Board website for more information.


COMMUNITY PROFILE: The Tohono O'odham Nation, "People of the Desert," have lived in the region for more than 10,000 years. The federally-recognized sovereign nation was greatly affected by the legacy of the 1853 Gadsden Purchase, which split their lands between the United States and Mexico. Twentieth-century federal policies of forced relocation moved numerous Tohono O'odham families outside of Arizona, yet many continue to live in the Sonoran desert of their ancestral lands. Prior to the 1980s, the Tohono O'odham were known as the Papago Tribe.

The Nation is comprised of four distinct segments. The largest of these (the Tohono O'odham Reservation) is located 63 miles west of Tucson, Arizona, and is more than 2.8 million acres. San Xavier, the second largest land base, is 71,095 acres. Smaller areas are the San Lucy District (near Gila Bend, AZ), and Florence Village (near Florence, AZ). The Tohono O'odham Nation is organized into 11 districts with Sells, Arizona, functioning as the Nation's capital. 

The Tohono O'odham Nation operates a two-year accredited community college in Sells, Arizona, offering numerous degrees, certificates, and other credentials. Principal economic activities include tourism - most notably the Mission San Xavier del Bac - and three casinos. The casinos employ more than 1,200 Native American and non-Native people.  The Nation also operates other facilities, such as the Tohono O'odham Utility Authority, Tohono O'odham Economic Development Authority, and the Tohono O'odham Gaming Enterprise. 

 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2017-2021 American Community Survey, the population of the Tohono O'odham Nation Reservation and Off-Reservation Trust Land is 10,106. The following document provides a Census snapshot of the Tohono O'odham Nation with comparisons to the state of Arizona and the United States as a whole.

Tohono O'odham Census Data.pdf

Tohono O'odham Census Data.pdf
view | download 128.01 KB

Note: When interpreting data for small populations or rural areas, it is important to note the margin of error which is provided where possible. The margin of error can be interpreted as providing a 90 percent probability that the true value lies within the estimate plus and minus the margin of error.

First Things First is Arizona's early childhood agency, providing health screenings and a variety of services across the state. Included here are two of their most recently available reports on the Tohono O'odham Nation.

First Things First Regional Needs and Assets Report_2016.pdf

First Things First Regional Needs and Assets Report_2016.pdf
view | download 3.08 MB

First Things First Impact Report_2022.pdf

First Things First Impact Report_2022.pdf
view | download 1.97 MB

Community Resource Directory_2019.pdf

Community Resource Directory_2019.pdf
view | download 1.11 MB

 

Business Sumary_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Business Sumary_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 88.39 KB

Business Locator_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Business Locator_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 147.61 KB

Market Profile_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Market Profile_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 146.77 KB

Civilian Labor Force Profile_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Civilian Labor Force Profile_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 84.37 KB

Retail Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Retail Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 147.27 KB

Restaurant Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Restaurant Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 98.12 KB

Finances Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Finances Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 130.03 KB

Electronics and Internet Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Electronics and Internet Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 142.28 KB

Health and Beauty Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Health and Beauty Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 137.57 KB

Pets and Products Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Pets and Products Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 79.4 KB

Sports and Leisure Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf

Sports and Leisure Market Potential_2022 (ESRI).pdf
view | download 143.59 KB