Elders Day Marks 27 Years of Celebration
January 30, 2026
Jeston Morris
Community Newqsperson
A Celebration of Stories, Memory, Singers and Dancers Honor Elders Through Cultural Strength and Community
CHANDLER, Ariz. — The 27th Annual Elders Day Event was held Jan. 16 at the Sheraton Grand, hosted by the Elders Concern Group. This year’s theme, “I Remember When: Stories, Memories, and Wisdom of Our Elders,” brought together more than 600 elders from all seven districts, the GRIC Urban Members Association, and Southern California.
Susanna Osife and Joseph Davis served as masters of ceremony. Former Lt. Gov. Robert Stone delivered the opening prayer. The Ira H. Hayes Post 84 Color Guard posted the colors, and Rebecca Rowe sang the national anthem. Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis and Lt. Gov. Regina Antone offered welcome remarks.
“I welcome everyone to this special event that honors our elders. I hope you enjoy yourself, have a good time, and be safe.”
Elders Day
She greeted attendees as they arrived. Osife, education coordinator for Rural Arizona Engagement (RAZE), introduced Gov. Lewis, who engaged the audience in a cheering contest.
Each district cheered on his cue, with Districts 3 and 6 being the loudest. He acknowledged former and current elected officials in attendance and led a moment of silence for elders who passed away in 2025.
“This is your day to celebrate and share stories. Let’s be kind to each other. I wish everyone a blessed day,” Gov. Lewis said.
Davis then introduced former Lt. Gov. Robert “Bobby” Stone, whose keynote shifted the theme from “I Remember When” to “We Remember When,” emphasizing agriculture and language.
“My brothers and I walked to my grandmother’s farm. She grew traditional crops such as corn and squash. We helped her with farm chores. There were many cottonwood trees during that time,” Stone said. “After completing the farm chores, we made slingshots from the tongue of our leather shoe and tire tube.”
Stone discussed the Hu Hu Kam Canal System, traditional farming methods, and ancestral self sufficiency. He noted that if the Community can build successful casinos and resorts, it can also revitalize traditional agriculture.
He concluded with reflections on language and culture. Stone, a certified O’otham language instructor at Casa Blanca Community School, said, “The song and dance that I teach is truly immersion because they are repetitive. Our community has fewer than 10 certified language teachers. It took me some time to become a certified teacher.”
Stone and his second grade students honored the 90 year old elders by singing O’otham songs. The students are from Mrs. Cervantes’ class at Casa Blanca Community School. Honorary plaques were presented to each elder. Recipients included:
District 1
• Suzanne Brown
• Wilfred Paul Evans Sr.
• Viola Katherine Jackson
• Idella Faye Poocha
District 3
• Edmond John Antone
• Lorraine Elaine Kisto
• Ethelene Lewis
• Permelia Rhodes
• Imogene Jackson
• Yvonne D. Stovall
District 4
• Eugenia Ann Apkaw
• Rita Burnette
• Gloria Ludlow
• Phillip Mendoza
• Raymond M. Sabori
• Jovita Mendoza
District 5
• Janet Ruth Haskie
• Irving Leon Johns Sr.
• Katherine Lewis
District 7
• Beryl Jane Stevens
• Elizabeth Dutton
The morning film, “I Remember When,” featured Edena Antone, Jennifer Perchero, Urban Giff, Dallas Delowe, Donald “Donnie” Antone, and Connie Jackson, highlighting the importance of language immersion.
Precious Vicente, lead singer for the District 6 Basket Dancers, performed with her group to honor the elders. She began singing at age 16. “Singing and dancing at an elders event is important because it connects all of us together,” she said. “The social dancing gets everyone involved and moving. Singing and dancing allows all of us to connect as a community.”
Aarick Mack, a lead singer from District 7 and Lehi, led a group of bird dancers. “My late grandfather, Ronald Mack, was an influential elder who was a native speaker and singer. He taught me the bird songs. It’s appropriate to sing those songs, especially to honor the elders,” he said. “The songs are Pee Posh. They are sung by tribes along the Colorado River.”
In the afternoon, the film “The Community Across Times of Change,” by Leonard Bruce was shown. Dancing through the decades and a survey concluded the event.