Book Excerpts — A curated collection of selected passages from books and publications that document how Yaqui people, histories, cultures, and identities have been described by outsiders. The excerpts provide an entry point for those new to these resources, offering insight into the writing styles, perspectives, and content found within them.
They invite reflection on who has recorded our histories, whose perspectives have been preserved, and how these narratives shape our understanding of Yaqui people.
THE YAQUIS OF SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA: Family, Indomitable Sprit, Generosity
2022 publication of Concerned Citizens for Community Health, Scottsdale Arizona
Collaborators: Enedina Florez, Inez Martinez Garcia, Jose Garcia, Mary Gonzalez, Gabriel Martinez, Luisa Matuz Martinez, Mario Martinez, Nellia Piña Muñoz, Annette Reynolds, Octaviana Trujillo, Jose Valencia, Dual Fresn Valenzuela
This book is a glimpse at the visual and narrative history of the Yaqui Indians, who came to Scottsdale to work for the Salt River Valley Water Users Association (SRVWUA) in the early 1900’s. It is the stories of their descendants who chose to remain in Scottsdale as an independent Yaqui community when the Salt River Project closed its company labor camps. It begins with a real life example of the Yaqui’s escape from Mexico as refugees, which spanned the period 1886 to 1927. It tells of their settlement in the Salt River Valley and the vital role they played for over five decades in the Salt River Valley’s demographic and economic growth. It illustrates the rich community life the Yaquis made for themselves in the Water Users camps despite poverty and hardship. When it was time to leave the Water Users’ camps, it describes the Yaqui’s transition from labor camp to independent community living. It revels how again the Yaquis played a major role in Scottsdale's community development. This time their actions ensured that today, every Scottsdale citizen in need is embraced by the generosity of others at Vista del Camino Community Center.
