Events

March 1st, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Grammy nominated musician, Aaron White, will be returning to the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve! Aaron White, who is a flute musician and guitar player, is part Northern Diné from the Blacksheep Clan and Northern Ute tribe Whiteriver Band. His band, Burning Sky, was nominated for the 2003 Grammy of Best Native American Album and Won Group of The Year at the Native American Music Awards in 2004. Aaron White will be performing flute and speaking on the history of the flute.

March 8th, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m

Diné (Navajo) musician, Jonah Littlesunday, has emerged as one of the most distinctive performers of the Native American flute. Inspired by themes that all human beings cherish – love, peace and unity – Jonah draws upon the solitude of his ancestral lands to create a meditative soundscape that heals the soul.

Littlesunday is nationally renowned, a Canyon Records recording artist, and famously performed at Senator John McCain's funeral in Washington, D.C. Come experience the beautiful sounds and stories of Native American flute!

March 8th, 2025 | 10 a.m - 1 p.m.

Learn from Diné (Navajo) artist, Denise Gishey, about Navajo beadwork! Denise Gishey is a self taught artist of beading, sewing, and intertribal related crafts.

March 15th, 2025 |  10 a.m. - 1 pm.

Join us for an engaging visit from Liberty Wildlife! Liberty Wildlife is a non-profit organization that works to rehabilitate injuried birds in Arizona. They work with anything from pigeons and quails to hawks and owls. Come visit to learn more about and meet native birds here in Arizona!

March 15th, 2025 | 10 a.m - 1 p.m.

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member August Wood is a local traditional artist who creates baskets and clay pots. He is returning to the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve to teach about clay pottery making. Learn from August the traditional techniques used in making clay pottery by utilizing natural materials commonly used by the Akimel O'odham.

March 22nd, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m

Diné (Navajo) musician, Jonah Littlesunday, has emerged as one of the most distinctive performers of the Native American flute. Inspired by themes that all human beings cherish – love, peace and unity – Jonah draws upon the solitude of his ancestral lands to create a meditative soundscape that heals the soul.

Littlesunday is nationally renowned, a Canyon Records recording artist, and famously performed at Senator John McCain's funeral in Washington, D.C. Come experience the beautiful sounds and stories of Native American flute!

March 22nd, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Learn from Sharah Nieto how she makes creosote salve out of natural ingredients from the Sonoran Desert!

Sharah Nieto is a Xicana of Yucatec-Maya heritage who lives in the beautiful Sonoran Desert. She has taught in classrooms throughout the southwest and has worked in education for the Heard Museum and Desert Botanical Garden.

March 29th, 2025 | 10 a.m - 1 p.m.

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member August Wood is a local traditional artist who creates baskets and clay pots. He is returning to the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve to teach about clay pottery making. Learn from August the traditional techniques used in making clay pottery by utilizing natural materials commonly used by the Akimel O'odham.

March 29th, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Join us for an exciting visit from the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of native and non-native reptiles through education, rehabilitation, rescue, and relocation. Come stop by to meet and learn more about Arizona's native reptilian species!

March 29th, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Learn from Diné (Navajo) weaver, Gerard Begay, on traditional Navajo weaving techniques. Visit his booth on the trail to see some of his pieces and see how the process of weaving is done!

Gerard Begay learned the art of weaving from his grandmother. He creates traditional rugs, dresses, saddle blankets, as well as pieces with contemporary designs. Weaving is therapeutic for Gerard Begay, and is honored to continue the tradition of weaving and he takes pride in carrying on this knowledge.