Nation’s Oldest American Indian Center Celebrates 70 Years
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Phoenix Indian Center. Since its beginning in 1947, the Valley nonprofit has enriched the lives of almost a million American Indians and others through services and programs ranging from job preparedness and prevention programs, to cultural enrichment, youth programming and community engagement.
This rich history will take center stage at the annual Silver & Turquoise Ball on April 22 at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix in downtown Phoenix. The event will feature American Indian art live and silent auctions, a cultural dining experience prepared by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian executive chef Freddie Bitsoie, plus a variety of culturally based entertainment throughout the evening.
Honorary chairs for the ball are Mark Bonsall, general manager and CEO at SRP, and his wife, Mary, as well as Bryan Brayboy, Ph.D., special advisor to the president on American Indian Affairs at Arizona State University, and his son, 15-year-old Quanah, a student at Phoenix Country Day School.
The evening will also highlight a special recognition, the Leon Grant Spirit of the Community Award. Leon Grant, who passed away at age 90 in 2015, is credited as one of the original founders of the Phoenix Indian Center. Past awardees include the late Joe Garagiola, Jr. and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Dr. Eddie Brown and Leon Grant. The 2017 honoree will be announced in late February.
PHOTOS COURTESY PHOENIX INDIAN CENTER
