The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is comprised of two distinct Native American tribes: the Onk Akimel O’odham (Pima) and the Xalychidom Piipaash (Maricopa). The center of our aboriginal territory is located in what is now called the Phoenix Valley, but our villages and farms previously occupied vast stretches of land along the Gila and Salt Rivers. Although we derive from two distinct cultures and languages, our two tribes have been allies for many generations and share many of the same values. Although each tribe formerly recognized its own leaders and independently managed its own day-to-day affairs, we interacted regularly. Intertribal commerce, decision-making, military action and social interaction were common. Our friendly alliance ultimately developed into a more formalized confederation that benefited both groups. Since that time, we have regularly acted as a single political power. Such was the case when establishing relations with the United States. Hence we are now federally recognized as one tribe by the U.S. Federal Government. The territory of O’odham and Piipaash residing along the Salt River was originally recognized by the U.S. government via executive order, signed by President Rutherford B. Hayes on January 10, 1879. Unfortunately, a subsequent executive order on June, 14, 1879 reduced the Salt River portion of the reserve from approximately 680,000 acres to just 46,627 acres. The second order also created two disconnected land bases, separating the Salt River O’odham-Piipaash from their relatives living along the Gila River. In 1940, the Salt River Community adopted a constitution and bylaws under the provisions of the federal Indian Reorganization Act and is now governed by an elected President, Vice-President and Tribal Council.