For the Gila River Indian Community, economic development is about a lot more than building for the future.

This weekend Navajo healers, Hopi sculptors and Mandan-descendant jewelry makers will gather at the Desert Botanical Garden to celebrate Native American Recognition Days. The annual festival of art, song and dance will highlight the cultures of American Indians from Arizona and surrounding states.

Get a glimpse at the traditions and cultures of the Native American nations that span the Southwest during the 11th season of Native Trails.

There is more than meets the eye on the grounds of the Pima Center in Scottsdale.

Hopi musician Casper Lomayesva calls his music edu-tainment. “Most non-natives aren’t familiar with Native American culture,” he says. “We communicate our culture through our music. We educate and entertain at the same time.”

This weekend Navajo healers, Hopi sculptors and Mandan-descendant jewelry makers will gather at the Desert Botanical Garden to celebrate Native American Recognition Days.

“History, Hip Hop and American Popular Culture” is the topic of the free Faces of Diversity Brown Bag series at noon Friday, April 20 at the Phoenix City Council Chambers, 200 W. Jefferson St.

The East Valley’s first black museum is starting out small — just three rooms in a south Scottsdale office building — but founder Edward VanDyke sees great potential.

The East Valley’s first black museum is starting out small — just three rooms in a south Scottsdale office building — but founder Edward VanDyke sees great potential.

Want to learn more about other cultures? Open your home to a foreign exchange student this fall.

The Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School staff and students are inviting the community to come out and celebrate culture at its campus later this month when they host the third annual Multicultural Fair.

Two-story stucco houses, green parks and shopping centers surround Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee Foothills.

May 8, 2005

Today’s students are becoming better informed about black history, a Scottsdale educator says. At the beginning of each school year, Donna Schell has always asked students to list the 10 most important people in American history. She’s noticed two women have started popping up: Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman.

Not long ago, you might have foreseen the Republican pilgrimage to St. Paul, Minn., as having all the brio of the Bataan Death March. Surprise! For all the party's problems, Republicans find themselves with a fighting chance of holding onto the presidency after all. Impressive, that - as was John McCain's gutsy choice of the marvelous Sarah Palin. Maybe this grand old party still has life in it.

The first of about $10 million in proposed improvements designed to boost Papago Park as a cultural beacon is slated for completion in the fall.